Tegal, January 16, 2024 - Agriculture is a sector that contributes significantly to the Indonesian economy. The success of this sector is inseparable from the services of farmers who have worked hard to support national food security. To maintain the contribution of the agricultural sector, the Government continues to ensure the availability of fertilizers, both subsidized and non-subsidized.

President Joko Widodo's government shows a strong commitment to farmers, particularly through the fertilizer subsidy program, which allocates around Rp 25 trillion each year to assist farmers in obtaining affordable fertilizers. In 2024, the Government plans to increase the fertilizer subsidy allocation by Rp 14 trillion to benefit more farmers.

Moreover, the Government facilitates the redemption of subsidized fertilizers through a straightforward mechanism using the Identity Card (KTP). This is expected to be utilized by all farmers to meet their fertilizer needs.

Maryono, the CEO of PT Pupuk Kujang, stated that the Government, through Pupuk Indonesia, ensures the availability of fertilizers throughout Indonesia, both subsidized and non-subsidized. The government aims to make obtaining fertilizers easy to support the acceleration of the planting season in early 2024.

To ensure fertilizer availability, the Government, represented by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and the Ministry of Agriculture through Pupuk Indonesia, is organizing a Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza program in various cities/districts from January to February 2024.

"During this planting season, the government has made various support efforts for farmers to achieve optimal results in the upcoming harvest. The Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza 2024 is organized by Pupuk Indonesia, in collaboration with the government, in various cities during January to February 2024. This series of events aims to ensure the availability of fertilizer for farmers and facilitate their access to fertilizer during this planting season," said Maryono.

During the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza event, the Government has assigned Pupuk Indonesia to meet the needs of non-subsidized fertilizers and encourage farmers to redeem fertilizers promptly, including preparing non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices.

In support of farmers in Temanggung Regency through this Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza activity, a special initiative has been launched to facilitate their access to non-subsidized fertilizers. Through this initiative, each farmer is entitled to receive 25 kg of urea nitrea and 25 kg of NPK Phonska in one package, totaling 50 kg of fertilizer.

The Government also consistently ensures the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizer stocks, including by conducting field visits to several agricultural centers. Until December 31, 2023, the availability of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers is recorded at 1,744,302 tons or equivalent to 236 percent of the minimum stock stipulated by the Government. This stock includes 1,215,280 tons of subsidized fertilizer and 529,022 tons of non-subsidized fertilizer.

"Pupuk Indonesia is implementing the Fertilizer Discount Extravaganza program in line with the government's encouragement so that farmers can enjoy non-subsidized fertilizers at affordable prices and help improve agricultural productivity and farmers' welfare. Hopefully, this program can encourage farmers to plant early so that we can reap success together during the April harvest," concluded Maryono.