Jakarta, March 7, 2025 – The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has officially included cassava in the list of commodities eligible for subsidized fertilizers in 2025. In response, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) is encouraging cassava farmers across the country to register for the Electronic Definitive Plan for Farmer Group Needs (e-RDKK) from March 6 to March 18, 2025, to ensure they can access subsidized fertilizers.

Pupuk Indonesia’s Corporate Secretary, Wijaya Laksana, emphasized that under Minister of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) No. 4 of 2025, cassava is officially recognized as a subsidized fertilizer recipient, alongside nine other commodities:

• Rice
• Corn
• Soybeans
• Chili
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Sugarcane
• Cocoa
• Coffee

He urged cassava farmers to register in the e-RDKK system through Agricultural Extension Officers (PPL) or Agricultural Extension Centers (BPP) to facilitate immediate fertilizer distribution.

"Previously, e-RDKK updates could only be made every four months. However, under the new Ministry of Agriculture regulation, adjustments can now be made within the current year. This means cassava farmers can register earlier, ensuring they receive their subsidized fertilizer more quickly," Wijaya explained.

The inclusion of cassava in the subsidized fertilizer program has been discussed since last year by various stakeholders and the Ministry of Agriculture. Additionally, cassava has been proposed as a strategic national food commodity, as its carbohydrate content is equivalent to rice, making it a viable alternative staple food.

There are Requirements for Cassava Farmers to Access Subsidized Fertilizer. To qualify for subsidized fertilizers, cassava farmers must:

1. Be part of a registered farmer group (Poktan)
2. Cultivate a maximum of two hectares of cassava farmland

Once these requirements are met, farmers can register in the e-RDKK system. There are some

Cassava farmers must submit their personal data to the Poktan chairman, including A photocopy of their National ID Card (KTP) and A photocopy of their Family Card (KK). The Poktan chairman will then submit the farmers’ data to the PPL or BPP for registration.

Wijaya further stated that in 2025, the Indonesian government has allocated 9.55 million tons of subsidized fertilizers for ten commodities, including cassava. The allocation breakdown is as follows:

• 4.63 million tons of Urea fertilizer
• 4.27 million tons of NPK Phonska fertilizer
• 147,800 tons of NPK Special Formula for Cocoa
• 500,000 tons of organic fertilizer

Cassava farmers will receive NPK Phonska fertilizer with a 15-10-12 formulation as part of the 4.27 million tons of total NPK Phonska allocation, which is also designated for other commodities.

"Pupuk Indonesia is fully committed to distributing subsidized fertilizers for cassava farmers. This initiative aims to boost productivity and farmer welfare, support the domestic cassava industry, and contribute to national food self-sufficiency," Wijaya concluded.