"In 2021, the distribution of subsidized fertilizers had reached 7.76 million tons, or 88.45 percent of the target of 8.78 million tons. Realization of the fertilizer subsidy budget in 2021 reached 93.45 percent of the ceiling of Rp29.05 trillion," Secretary General of the Agriculture Ministry Kasdi Subagyono noted during a meeting with Commission IV of the House of Representatives here on Thursday.
Director General of Agricultural Facilities and Infrastructure at the Agriculture Ministry Ali Jamil remarked that the realization of subsidized fertilizer distribution in 2021 had totaled 8,776,847 after the reallocation.
He cited data in which distribution from Pupuk Indonesia Holding Company (PIHC) to distributors had amounted to 7.9 million tons, while distribution to farmers was recorded at 7.7 million tons.
In 2022, the budget for subsidized fertilizers was recorded at Rp25.28 trillion, which was a decrease as compared to last year
Jamil explained that the distribution of subsidized fertilizers was aimed at benefiting farmers, thereby increasing agricultural productivity. He pointed to an increase in rise production from 2019 to 2021.
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In 2019, rice productivity had reached around 5.1 tons per hectare, while in 2020, it had increased to 5.13 tons per hectare, and in 2021, it rose again to 5.26 tons per hectare.
"Based on data during the 2019-2020 period and 2021, there is an increase in total production in tons of dry milled unhulled rice and the productivity level of tons per hectare of dry milled grain. Hence, (according to) the latest data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2021, we have 5.26 tons per hectare of rice, (which is more as) compared to the previous year, at only 5.13 tons," he added.
Subagyono deemed subsidized fertilizer an important item to facilitate the farmers' productivity. The benefits offered under the assistance encompass ensuring affordable prices, guaranteeing fertilizers stocks in remote areas, guaranteeing quality in accordance with the SNI standards, increasing farmers' interest in farming in a sustainable manner, and maintaining improvements in national agricultural productivity.
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Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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