JAKARTA – PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) ensures that subsidized fertilizers can only be redeemed at official kiosks. Redemption of subsidized fertilizers can also only be made by farmers who are registered in the e-Allocation system or previously known as the Group Needs Definitive Plan (e-RDKK).

Pupuk Indonesia's VP of Regional Sales (PW) 4, Rizki Candra Sakti, said that this was regulated in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture (Permentan) Number 10 of 2022 concerning Procedures for Determining Allocations and Highest Retail price (HRP) of Subsidized Fertilizers in the Agricultural Sector.

"We urge registered farmers to get subsidized fertilizer at official Pupuk Indonesia kiosks, not elsewhere. This is to ensure the quality and authenticity of subsidized fertilizers," said Rizki.

Therefore, said Rizki, Pupuk Indonesia asked all farmers to be aware of the circulation of artificial fertilizers ahead of the planting season. Fertilizer products belonging to the Pupuk Indonesia Group have identical packaging and product brands.

In distribution, fertilizer products belonging to the Pupuk Indonesia Group also have exclusive rights to the subsidized fertilizer trademark so that both subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizer products can only be obtained at official kiosks as partners.

"Because the fertilizer products belonging to the Pupuk Indonesia Group are very identical, farmers can see from their characteristics such as the call center number, SNI logo, distribution permit number. Pupuk Indonesia products are also registered with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and have quality and content according to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI)," he said.

"Even our fertilizer products also have the words 'Government Subsidized Fertilizer, Goods Under Control'. In addition, there are special characteristics in the form of fertilizer, especially subsidized fertilizers, namely in the form of prill and granules and has a distinctive color, such as pink or pink subsidized Urea type fertilizer, and brownish red NPK type subsidized fertilizer," he added.

Based on Permentan Number 10 of 2022, Rizki revealed that farmers who are entitled to subsidized fertilizer allocations have been regulated based on criteria, such as being required to join farmer groups, be registered in the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN), and cultivate a maximum of two hectares of land. This regulation also focuses on fertilizer subsidies for Urea and NPK types.

In addition, farmers who are entitled to subsidized fertilizer allocations are also only aimed at farmers who work only nine (9) commodities, namely rice, corn, soybeans, chilies, shallots, garlic, coffee, cocoa, and people's sugarcane. Apart from these commodities, it is certain that farmers do not meet the criteria set by the Government or are not entitled to subsidized fertilizer allocations.

“Therefore, subsidized fertilizers, both Urea and NPK, can only be redeemed at official kiosks. If there are farmers who redeem outside the official kiosk, then you should be wary of authenticity. And if farmers find this, they can contact Pupuk Indonesia customer service at a toll-free contact at 0800 100 8001 or WA 0811 9918 001," he said.

Rizki revealed that Pupuk Indonesia is ready to support local law enforcement officials to follow up on problems such as fake fertilizers. Pupuk Indonesia as a producer and distributor that distributes and oversees its distribution will not hesitate to stop distribution cooperation and completely to kiosk partners and distributors who are proven to have abused their authority.