Farmers in Pidie Regency Begin Planting for the Second Season, Subsidised Fertiliser Scarce
High volatility is still likely to continue until the end of May.
A classic problem continues to haunt rice farmers in Aceh province. Amid efforts to achieve abundant harvests, farmers are confronted with the harsh reality of a shortage of subsidised fertiliser in the market.
Based on Media Indonesia’s monitoring in Pidie Regency, subsidised Urea and NPK Phonska fertilisers are difficult to find. At official retailers and distributors, stocks of this essential fertiliser, which is needed to stimulate rice plant growth, are reported to be depleted.
This condition occurs in several areas that are currently entering the growing season, such as Indrajaya, Delima, Peukan Baro, and Mila sub-districts. Farmers in these areas have been forced to accelerate their planting schedules to anticipate the El Nino phenomenon, in order to avoid the risk of prolonged drought and pest attacks.
The target is for the entire planting process to be completed by the end of May and enter an intensive fertilisation phase. However, the lack of fertiliser stock has become a major obstacle.
“I have been looking for it at official retailers, but there is no subsidised Urea and NPK Phonska fertiliser available. When I asked the distributors, the answer was the same: the goods are not available. Where should farmers complain if the fertiliser promised by the government is not available in the field due to various reasons?” complained M. Nasir, an agricultural figure in Peukan Baro sub-district, on Saturday (17/5).
Nasir added that farmers had actually started planting rice for the second growing season two weeks ago. It would be a pity if the plants, which are currently in the growth phase, fail to be fertilised due to the government’s supply crisis.
In line with Nasir, Tarmizi, a local farmer, expressed his concern. “This could be the beginning of a disaster that will have a big impact on our total rice production later,” he said.
Responding to this crisis, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Syiah Kuala University (USK), Professor Sugianto, emphasised that the availability of fertiliser is a key pillar in modern rice farming systems. According to him, the use of superior seeds will not produce maximum results without balanced fertilisation support.
“Even unbalanced fertilisation can reduce production yields; what more if there is a total fertiliser crisis? This has the potential to reduce harvests by up to 50%, even threatening crop failure,” explained Prof. Sugianto.
The soil science expert urged the government to respond more seriously to farmers’ complaints in the field. For him, subsidised fertiliser is the only solution for small farmers to implement balanced fertilisation patterns amidst the high prices of non-subsidised fertilisers.
“Although non-subsidised fertilisers are available on the market, their prices are many times higher. Farmers will certainly be burdened economically if they are forced to switch to non-subsidised fertilisers,” concluded Prof. Sugianto.
As of this report, farmers in Pidie Regency are still waiting for concrete steps from the government to redistribute supplies of subsidised fertiliser in order to save this planting season. (MR/E-4)
The hopes of farmers in Aceh province to reap big profits during the main harvest season in 2026 have been dashed.