Palembang, October 8, 2024 - PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) is making efforts to optimize the distribution of subsidized fertilizers by identifying strategic agricultural commodities, one of which is cassava. This was conveyed by Pupuk Indonesia's Marketing Director, Tri Wahyudi Saleh, during a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) on "Strategies to Increase Cassava Productivity and Fertilizer Subsidy Support Policies for Farmers" held in Palembang on Tuesday (October 8, 2024).

Tri Wahyudi explained that under the Ministry of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) No. 1 of 2024, nine commodities are currently eligible for subsidized fertilizers, including rice, corn, soybeans, chili, shallots, garlic, sugarcane, coffee, and cocoa. Earlier this year, the government increased the subsidized fertilizer allocation from the initial 4.7 million tons to 9.55 million tons.

"This increase in volume requires optimization efforts to boost uptake. Optimization can be achieved by identifying strategic regional commodities that are eligible for subsidized fertilizers. This will help optimize fertilizer uptake, improve economic value, and enhance agricultural productivity," Tri Wahyudi stated.

He added that cassava, also known as tapioca or manioc, can be considered an alternative food commodity with carbohydrate content comparable to rice. Indonesia is ranked as the world's fifth-largest cassava producer, with a total output of 18.3 million tons in 2020, of which 87% is used for domestic needs.

About 97% of cassava production is used for food, highlighting its strategic role in supporting national food security. Therefore, increasing cassava productivity is essential to support national food security programs.

"The key components for improving cassava productivity include the use of appropriate fertilizers, suitable varieties (resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses), and pest control (Plant Pest Organisms)," he emphasized.

Tri Wahyudi acknowledged feedback from stakeholders, including the Indonesian Cassava Society (MSI), who expressed the hope that cassava would be included as a commodity eligible for subsidized fertilizers. This would improve the welfare of farmers, enhance the local cassava industry, and maintain national food security.

"This FGD aims to assess field conditions and develop strategies to boost cassava productivity, as well as explore policies on subsidized fertilizer support for cassava farmers, particularly in South Sumatra," Tri Wahyudi noted.

The FGD on "Strategies to Increase Cassava Productivity and Fertilizer Subsidy Support Policies for Farmers" was attended by key figures, including Assistant Deputy for Food Infrastructure and Agribusiness at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ismariny; Director of Fertilizers and Pesticides at the Ministry of Agriculture, Jekvy Hendra; Head of Soil and Fertilizer Testing Instrument Standards Laboratory (BPSI), Ladiyani Retno Widowati; President Director of PT Pupuk Sriwidjaja Palembang, Daconi Khotob; and Helmi Hasanudin, Chairman of the Indonesian Cassava Society's Business and Product Development Division.

Also present were the Head of the South Sumatra Province Agriculture and Horticulture Office, Bambang Pramono; Head of the Food Security, Agriculture, and Horticulture Office of Lampung Province, Bani Isproyanto; Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Sriwijaya University, A. Muslim; and representatives from various provincial and municipal agricultural offices in South Sumatra.

Furthermore, Tri Wahyudi noted that Pupuk Indonesia has developed technology to formulate NPK fertilizer according to specific plant needs, including a special NPK fertilizer for cassava with a formula of 17-6-25. This fertilizer contains 17% Nitrogen, 6% Phosphorus, and 25% Potassium.

Based on trials conducted in several areas, especially in Sumatra, the application of this fertilizer has successfully increased cassava yields. Farmers who used the fertilizer reported an average harvest of 45 tons per hectare, compared to the previous average of 27 to 28 tons per hectare.

"Cassava farmers who previously relied on subsidized fertilizers can now benefit from the introduction of cassava-specific NPK. The challenge now is determining whether this fertilizer can be included in the subsidy scheme, which is a matter we will discuss in this FGD. This fertilizer enables farmers to apply balanced and efficient fertilization, ultimately boosting cassava productivity," Tri Wahyudi concluded.

In addition to this initiative, Pupuk Indonesia has demonstrated its commitment to cassava development by establishing demonstration plots on former tin mining land in Bangka Belitung. These lands have been restored using Pupuk Indonesia's products and are now being utilized for cassava cultivation, with the help of cassava-specific NPK fertilizer.

Pupuk Indonesia has also established a Cassava Village in Central Lampung, specifically in Sriwijaya Mataram Village, Bandar Mataram District. This village serves as a model for cassava commodity development led by Pupuk Indonesia.

"Cassava farmers require ongoing support and subsidized fertilizers with the NPK 17-6-25 formula to ensure high yields and maintain the sustainability of agricultural land," Tri Wahyudi concluded.