PapuaAround.com – Farmers in South Papua region are delighted with the announcement of additional subsidies for fertilizer allocation championed by the Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman. The head of the Department of Food Crops, Agriculture, Marine Affairs, and Fisheries of South Papua Province, Paino, stated that the addition would boost farmers’ enthusiasm for achieving food self-sufficiency in Indonesia. “This is great news eagerly awaited by farmers in South Papua, especially in efforts to increase productivity,” said Paino on Sunday (3/30/2024).
Paino mentioned that they would promptly follow up on the addition by drafting allocation plans per district and city based on the 2024 e-RDKK data. “The increase in subsidized fertilizer quota should serve as a catalyst for us to continue advancing in Indonesian agriculture, especially in South Papua,” he said. As known, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has increased the subsidized fertilizer quota for farmers in South Papua and across Indonesia.
This step follows various meetings and closed-door discussions involving President Joko Widodo and several ministers, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. In the closed-door meeting, it was agreed to double the fertilizer budget for 2024 to 9.55 million tons from the previous 4.7 million tons, officially announced through a letter from the finance minister with number S-297/MK.02.2024.
The subsidized fertilizer allocation for 2024 includes both chemical and organic fertilizers for 9 types of commodities such as rice, corn, soybeans, chili, shallots, garlic, sugarcane, coffee, and cocoa. “We remind traders and distributors not to engage in fraudulent activities. We will revoke the permits of those who violate regulations. This is part of our effort to support Indonesian farmers,” explained Mentan in his statement some time ago.
The surge in subsidized fertilizer allocation marks a pivotal moment in the agricultural landscape, promising to propel farmers towards greater productivity and self-sufficiency. With this infusion of support, coupled with stringent measures to ensure transparency and fairness, the stage is set for a transformative journey in Indonesian agriculture. As farmers embrace this opportunity with renewed vigor, the ripple effects of enhanced yields and economic empowerment are poised to resonate far beyond the fields, shaping a brighter future for communities across the nation.
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Source: Sindonews.
