Agriculture Minister: No farmers crying foul after 20% cut in subsidised fertiliser

Jakarta – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said there are no longer farmers crying foul following the policy to reduce subsidised fertiliser by 20 percent to boost agricultural productivity and safeguard the sustainability of national food self-sufficiency.

“Now, which farmers are shouting? None,” Mentan Amran said when contacted on the progress of subsidised fertiliser at the sidelines of the Poultry Exports and Their By-Products to Japan, Singapore and Timor-Leste in Jakarta, on Tuesday (3 March).

He said the policy has had a positive impact because farmers’ complaints about fertiliser have diminished, while the government is addressing distribution issues gradually and in a measured way.

“And (the farming problem) cannot be solved all at once,” he asserted.

“Keep going. That is the greatness of our President (Prabowo Subianto), the current administration. The volume of fertiliser is met, then the price falls by 20 percent,” Amran said.

He emphasised that beyond the price reduction, the government also guarantees the availability of subsidised fertiliser volume so farmers’ needs are met and it does not hinder the sowing season in various production centres.

The government is committed to balancing the interests of farmers and business operators so the agricultural sector moves sustainably and strengthens the foundation of national food self-sufficiency.