Kupang, April 13, 2024 - Welcoming the second planting season of 2024, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) ensures an adequate amount of fertilizer for farmers, both subsidized and non-subsidized. Moreover, the Government has increased the allocation of subsidized fertilizer to 9.55 million tons in 2024 from the initial 4.7 million tons.

GM of Region 2 of Pupuk Indonesia, Roh Eddy Andri Wismono, stated that the increase in subsidized fertilizer allocation is a breath of fresh air for national farmers. The national increase in subsidized fertilizer allocation includes Urea fertilizer from the initial 2,771,428 tons to 4,634,626 tons; NPK from the initial 2,001,352 tons to 4,278,504 tons; Special NPK Fertilizer from the initial 19,739 tons to 136,870 tons; and Organic fertilizer by 500,000 tons.

"Farmers don't need to worry about fertilizer shortages anymore because of the increase in subsidized fertilizer allocation, so it is hoped that farmers' fertilizer needs can be met with this additional quota," Roh Eddy explained.

The increase in subsidized fertilizer allocation also addresses concerns among farmers in East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) who were worried about not receiving sufficient quotas. Roh Eddy ensured that there was an increase in the allocation of subsidized NPK Cocoa fertilizer for registered farmers in NTT. "The increase in Urea fertilizer allocation from the initial 36,405 tons to 62,228 tons, NPK fertilizer from the initial 32,858 tons to 70,244 tons, and Special Cocoa NPK Formula (NPK 14-12-16-4) from the initial 95 tons to 659 tons," Roh Eddy emphasized.

In addition to the increased allocation, the process of redeeming subsidized fertilizers is also made easier. Pupuk Indonesia collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) to innovate by implementing the i-Pubers (Integrated Subsidized Fertilizer) application at every official kiosk. With this digital system, registered farmers only need to bring their Identity Card (KTP) to redeem subsidized fertilizers.

This application is intended to facilitate farmers in the process of redeeming subsidized fertilizers by implementing integrated data at distributor partners (kiosks) between the list of e-allocation subsidy recipients and fertilizer stock data available at Pupuk Indonesia.

Therefore, Roh Eddy revealed that farmers in Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, no longer need to hassle to redeem subsidized fertilizers at kiosks because Pupuk Indonesia has implemented digitalization of fertilizer redemption using the i-Pubers application.

"Through integration with Kementan's e-allocation data and geo-tagging features, i-Pubers becomes the forefront solution to ensure fertilizer distribution accuracy. This digital innovation is not only efficient but also helps us target subsidized fertilizers precisely to promote agricultural sector growth with precision," he said.

Starting from February 1, 2024, the implementation of i-Pubers has reached 100 percent nationwide and is available at more than 27,000 kiosks across Indonesia. The implementation of the i-Pubers application is one step forward in the distribution of subsidized fertilizers in Indonesia. i-Pubers application is expected to help farmers obtain subsidized fertilizers more easily and efficiently.

Until March 29, 2024, more than 1.3 million tons of fertilizer have been distributed to registered farmers in 38 provinces of Indonesia. Meanwhile, in terms of stock, Pupuk Indonesia provides a stock of 769,042 tons available in Line III warehouses and ready to be redeemed by registered farmers. The total stock of fertilizer consists of 436,418 tons of subsidized Urea and 300,359 tons of NPK.

For Region 2, the available stock of subsidized fertilizer is 372,013 tons, consisting of 203,735 tons of Urea and 168,278 tons of NPK. All of these stocks are available in Line III warehouses and as efforts to ensure the availability of subsidized fertilizers in sales units of Region 2 from East Java to Papua.

"This stock of subsidized fertilizer amounting to 372,013 tons was recorded as of April 12, 2024, and spread across all Line III Warehouses in Region 2 of Pupuk Indonesia. This Urea fertilizer stock is equivalent to 462 percent of the minimum stock set by the Government, while NPK is recorded as equivalent to 509 percent, and Cocoa NPK is equivalent to 200 percent of the minimum requirements. Thus, Pupuk Indonesia continues to maintain the availability of subsidized fertilizers in eastern Indonesia in anticipation of the second planting season of 2024," Roh Eddy explained.

The subsidized fertilizer stock in NTT amounts to 16,789 tons spread across all Districts and Cities in the NTT Province. Meanwhile, the total fertilizer stock in Kupang Regency is 4,317 tons, consisting of Urea fertilizer amounting to 2,231 tons and NPK fertilizer amounting to 2,086 tons or equivalent to 200% of the minimum stock requirement.

Regarding the distribution of subsidized fertilizers in the NTT Province until March 29, 2024, Roh Eddy stated that Pupuk Indonesia has distributed 4,886 tons, consisting of 2,471 tons of Urea fertilizer and 2,415 tons of NPK.

Meanwhile, in Kupang Regency until March 29, 2024, Pupuk Indonesia has distributed subsidized fertilizers totaling 578 tons, consisting of 358 tons of Urea and 220 tons of NPK Phonska.

Furthermore, Roh Eddy mentioned that Pupuk Indonesia, as a producer, always distributes subsidized fertilizers in accordance with applicable regulations. Pupuk Indonesia has also instructed official distributors and retailers to provide stocks in accordance with applicable regulations.

"We will continue to monitor the stock availability at official distributors and retailers and will not hesitate to reprimand or sanction anyone in our distribution network who violates applicable regulations," he concluded.

It is known that subsidized fertilizers can only be obtained by farmers who meet the criteria and requirements of the Minister of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) Number 10 of 2022 concerning Procedures for Determining the Allocation and Maximum Retail Price of Subsidized Fertilizers for the Agricultural Sector. From this regulation, farmers must be members of farmer groups, registered in the SIMLUHTAN (Agricultural Extension Management Information System), cultivate a maximum of two hectares of land, and use a Farmer Card (for certain areas).

Based on Permentan Number 10 of 2022, the Government has designated 9 (nine) commodities eligible for subsidized fertilizer allocation, namely rice, corn, soybeans, shallots, garlic, chili, coffee, sugarcane, and cocoa. In other words, farmers who cultivate crops outside of these commodities are no longer eligible for subsidized fertilizer allocation.

"Farmers eligible for subsidized fertilizer allocation can only redeem subsidized fertilizers at official kiosks designated to serve local farmer groups. In addition, eligible farmers must also be registered in e-RDKK (Definitive Plan of Needs for Farmer Groups)," Roh Eddy added.