As Indonesia prepares for the 2025 planting season, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), the state-owned fertilizer giant, has ensured the availability of 10,315 tons of subsidized fertilizer in Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra). This move comes after a visit by Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman to Konawe, marking a key milestone in the country’s efforts to secure its food self-sufficiency. The fertilizers are expected to support farmers in their early 2025 planting activities, aligning with President Prabowo Subianto’s agricultural development agenda.

Ensuring Fertilizer Availability for 2025 Planting

The Indonesian government, through Pupuk Indonesia, has taken significant steps to ensure that farmers have access to affordable fertilizers to support crop production, which is crucial for achieving national food security. According to Panji W. Ruky, Pupuk Indonesia’s Business Transformation Director, the company has already secured 10,315 tons of subsidized fertilizer for Sultra. This stock far exceeds the minimum government requirement by 136.4%, guaranteeing that farmers have enough supply for the next three weeks.

The 10,315 tons of fertilizer include 5,906 tons of Urea, 3,185 tons of NPK Phonska, and 1,224 tons of NPK Cocoa Special Formula, catering to the needs of various crops across the region. This proactive move aims to prevent shortages and ensure smooth operations for farmers, especially as they prepare for the early planting season in 2025.

Distribution Improvements and Efficiency

Pupuk Indonesia has made strides in improving fertilizer distribution in Southeast Sulawesi. The company has established an efficient system for distributing subsidized fertilizers, including nine buffer warehouses, nine distributors, and 197 kiosks/retailers across the province. Additionally, nine field officers have been deployed to assist with logistics and ensure that the fertilizers reach the farmers promptly.

As of December 25, 2024, a total of 68,255 tons of subsidized fertilizer have been distributed in Sultra. This figure represents a significant increase from the 51,410 tons distributed in the previous year. The fertilizer distribution includes 24,285 tons of Urea, 37,135 tons of NPK Phonska, and 6,834 tons of NPK Cocoa Special Formula.

Eligibility for Subsidized Fertilizer

To access subsidized fertilizers, farmers in Sultra must meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in Agriculture Ministerial Regulation No. 1/2024. These include being a member of a farmer group (Gapoktan), being registered in the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN), and managing no more than two hectares of land. Additionally, the subsidies apply to nine strategic crops: rice, corn, soybeans, chilies, shallots, garlic, coffee, sugarcane, and cocoa.

Farmers who have not yet registered can do so through their respective farmer groups. This ensures that the benefits reach the right people and helps streamline the process of fertilizer distribution. The subsidies will play a key role in helping farmers increase productivity and contribute to Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency goals.

Strengthening Food Security Through Fertilizer Availability

The efforts by Pupuk Indonesia and the government highlight the importance of fertilizer in supporting Indonesia's agricultural sector. By ensuring that subsidized fertilizers are readily available and distributed efficiently, the government is making a significant contribution to strengthening food security, improving farm productivity, and supporting the livelihoods of farmers. These initiatives also align with the broader national goal of achieving food self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on food imports, and enhancing the nation's resilience against global supply chain disruptions.

As the 2025 planting season approaches, Indonesia is well on its way to ensuring a stable food supply, thanks to the strategic actions taken by Pupuk Indonesia and the Ministry of Agriculture.