Fertilizer disappears in N. Sumatra<\/p>\n
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The gradual disappearance of
\nfertilizer from North Sumatra markets in the last two months has
\nprompted the Indonesian Fertilizer Producers Association (APPI)
\nto decide to import fertilizer for the sake of the farmers.<\/p>\n
APPI chairman Buyung Berland said on Monday that APPI would
\nsoon import between 50,000 tons and 70,000 tons of fertilizer,
\nworth some US$10 million.<\/p>\n
He did not say when the association would start the fertilizer
\nimport and from what countries the fertilizer would be sourced.<\/p>\n
According to Buyung, the closures of PT Pupuk Iskandar Muda
\nand PT Asean Aceh Fertilizer (AAF), two fertilizer factories
\nlocated in the restive province of Aceh, had played a significant
\nrole in the shortage of fertilizers, especially urea, in North
\nSumatra.<\/p>\n
The two fertilizer factories stopped their operations on March
\n9.<\/p>\n
Sharing his views, secretary of the North Sumatra Commission
\non the Supervision of the Use of Fertilizers Elianor Sembiring
\nsaid that the plan to import fertilizer would be the best
\nsolution to help farmers obtain good quality fertilizer legally.<\/p>\n
\"If the fertilizer crisis is not dealt with soon, fake
\nfertilizer could enter the market,\" Elianor said.<\/p>\n
The disappearance of fertilizer from the market has driven up
\nthe price of fertilizer.<\/p>\n
Ngadap Tarigan, a distributor in Kabanjahe, Tanah Karo, said
\nthe fertilizer prices had increased by 20 percent. \"A 50-kilogram
\nsack of fertilizer now costs Rp 60,000, Rp 10,000 higher than the
\nprevious price.\"<\/p>\n
\"The supply of urea has been disrupted for the past three
\nmonths. Before the crisis I could get as much as 600 tons. Now I
\nwould be lucky to get even 10 tons.\" (42\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fertilizer-disappears-in-n-sumatra-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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