Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, says the government is ready to simplify the rules on subsidized fertilizers management upon observing too many regulations governing the distribution and redemption of subsidized fertilizers that complicatefarmers.
“Sometimes our policies are not in synchrony. I have had meetings with the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Public Works, the Minister of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment. I have also had long discussions with (State-owned fertilizer holding company) PT Pupuk Indonesia,” Zulkifli told a discussion with farmers in Jati Agung, South Lampung, on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
“The problem is the distribution of fertilizers is complicated, with a variety of requirements. Because (redemption) of fertilizers must be upon the farmers’ proposal, there must be a regent decree to regulate it. If the regent disagrees with with the village head, the fertilizer can’t be disbursed. Why make fertilizerdisbursement a political matter? This practice must stop,” he said.
Zulkifli highlighted the unstable financial condition of farmers that although subsidized fertilizers are available, many farmers cannot afford to buy and have to borrow money in order to obtain them.
He also highlighted the lack of rice fields optimization and irrigation canals to support agricultural productivity of rainfed rice fields in South Lampung.
“It turns out that there are no complaints about fertilizeravailability in Lampung. The problem is inadequate rice production because most rice fields depend on rainfalls. This [optimization] of rice fileds is a priority program,” he said.
Zulkifli called for the importance of the availability of stocks and timely distribution of subsidized fertilizers for farmers, especially during the planting season. He maintained that fertilizer will always be available to farmers at the right time because fertilizer is key to optimum harvest.
As part of the effort to support easier and more targeted fertilizer distribution, the government has optimized the use of the Definite Plan of Group Farmers’ Need of Subsidized Fertilizers (RDKK) application system or e-RDKK.
In line with the Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 1/ 2024, update on e-RDKK data can be made every four months. Through e-RDKK, the process of redeeming subsidized fertilizers becomes simpler and more structured, allowing farmers to obtain the fertilizer they need according to recommendations from farmer groups.
With RDKK, fertilizer distribution can also be more easily monitored and controlled, thus preventing potential shortages or misuse in the field. This system is expected to help ensure every farmer receives fertilizer on time, without complicated bureaucracy.
Currently, the government is opening the opportunity for farmers to register as recipients of subsidized fertilizer in 2025. Registration is open until November 15, 2024.
