Indonesia boosts subsidy for fertilizers, seeks tighter monitoring

Kediri (ANTARA) - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has underscored the importance of strengthening supervision over the allocation and distribution of subsidized fertilizers to ensure efficiency and accuracy amid the government’s ongoing agricultural reform.

He raised the issue while highlighting the government’s decision to increase the annual subsidized fertilizer quota from four million tons to 9.5 million tons this year during a visit to Jombang District, East Java, on Saturday night (October 25).

“Previously, the government allocated only four million tons of fertilizers per year under the subsidy program, and we have now raised the figure to 9.5 million tons. However, it is crucial to ensure that this convenience strictly benefits farmers, not middlemen,” Hasan stated.

He added that to make fertilizers even more affordable, the government had also reduced their prices by up to 20 percent.

“We still have abundant fertilizer stocks. You can report to us if there is any shortage, but keep in mind that we will not tolerate brokers or intermediaries,” Hasan told the public.

The minister also noted that fertilizer absorption remains below expectation, as only around 6.3 million tons out of the allocated 9.5 million tons have been distributed to farmers nationwide.

In East Java, for instance, just 1.5 million tons of subsidized fertilizers have reached target recipients, despite the province’s allocation of two million tons.

“Large quantities of fertilizers remain in warehouses, even during the planting season. We will look into the cause of this issue,” he said, adding that he plans to coordinate with East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.

Furthermore, Hasan said he had engaged in dialogue with farmers, who voiced the need for higher individual fertilizer quotas.

Koirul, a farmer from Plosogenuk Village in Jombang, expressed appreciation to the government for its pro-farmer policies while hoping the individual allocation could increase from four sacks to five or six.

“We thank President Prabowo Subianto for lowering fertilizer prices and increasing the price of unhusked rice. However, we hope we can access larger fertilizer quotas,” he said.

He added that he often relies on non-subsidized fertilizers to fill the gap and hopes their prices will also be reduced.