Fertilizer prices triple in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): Farmers in the region are complaining that prices of fertilizers have soared by much more than the 25.5 percent increase the government set on April 13, a media report said Monday.

They said that, in reality, the official increase existed only on paper because retailers never complied with the government's instruction.

Antara reported that Bogor farmers supervise the market prices and make sure their interests are protected.

Oman, a peasant in Darmaga district said that farmers in the region had experienced a "double blow" since the increase was announced because the price had soared.

"The official price was jacked up by the government and then the retailers further raised their own level," he said.

Fertilizer prices have gone up threefold over the past three months to an average of Rp 180,000 (US$22.5) per 100 kilograms farmers said.

Ubay, a farmer in Cijeruk district, reported that farming costs had been jacked up not only by the rising fertilizer prices but also increases in tractor hire fees from Rp 75,000 to Rp 90,000 per 7,000 square meters and daily labor wages from Rp 6,000 to Rp 7,500.

Farmers in Ciomas district reported that the prices of pesticides had also tripled over the past few months.

The soaring prices have made farming less profitable, one farmer said. (pan)