"The fertilizer was found stored in a warehouse. So far, we have identified one suspect and will continue our investigation to determine if there are any other individuals involved," Garut Police chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Mochamad Fajar Gemilang, informed here on Thursday.
During the raid at the warehouse in Cimuncang Village, the police found over 25 tons of subsidized fertilizer, comprising 232 sacks of urea and 283 sacks of NPK Phonska.
The police chief said that the suspect, a 49-year-old resident of the Garut city Subdistrict, purchased the subsidized fertilizer from authorized retailers and then resold it at prices that were significantly higher than the government-mandated highest retail price.
The subsidized urea fertilizer, whose government-mandated price is Rp2,250 per kilogram, was being sold by the suspect for Rp4 thousand per kilogram. Similarly, the NPK Phonska, which is supposed to be priced at Rp2,300 per kilogram, was being sold for Rp4,500 per kilogram.
"The total value of the confiscated fertilizer is estimated to be between Rp90 million and Rp100 million," Gemilang said.
The illegal activity, which went on for nearly six months, resulted in significant losses to the community and the state.
Police are currently investigating the case and have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests.
The government led by Prabowo Subianto has set an ambitious goal to achieve food self-sufficiency to reduce reliance on food imports and ensure food security for Indonesia's growing population.
However, Indonesian farmers often encounter significant challenges in accessing subsidized fertilizers, which are crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity.
Due to misappropriation by intermediaries and local officials, subsidized fertilizers are often diverted from the intended recipients to black markets, where they are sold at higher prices.
Complex bureaucratic procedures and requirements also tend to deter farmers from applying for and receiving subsidized fertilizers.
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Translator: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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