Food Minister Hands Over 3 Tonnes of Fertiliser to Sigi Farmers at Pupuk Indonesia Dialogue

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan led a farmers’ dialogue event organised by PT Pupuk Indonesia in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday. Accompanied by Central Sulawesi Governor Anwar Hafid, the minister’s visit served as a key moment to engage directly with hundreds of farmers and reinforce the central government’s commitment to supporting national food security. During the event, Zulkifli handed over fertiliser assistance to local farmer groups, comprising 1.5 tonnes of NPK fertiliser and 1.5 tonnes of urea, as a direct form of government support to boost agricultural productivity in the region. He stressed that President Prabowo Subianto has given clear instructions for the government to be present among the people, prompting his regular field visits to thoroughly inspect the food ecosystem. The minister detailed several concrete policies already benefiting farmers, including a roughly 20 per cent price cut on subsidised fertiliser and guaranteed supply ahead of the planting season. He noted that farmers themselves confirmed the availability and lower prices during the dialogue, rather than relying solely on written reports. Zulkifli also addressed the importance of stable grain prices, stating the government is committed to maintaining a floor price of at least Rp6,500 per kilogramme, with some regions already reaching Rp7,500 per kilogramme. This policy has helped raise the Farmers’ Exchange Rate from 116 to 127, indicating improved welfare for rice and maize growers. Looking beyond rice self-sufficiency, the minister revealed the government’s next major focus is on the protein sector, with plans to gradually develop biofloc-based fish farming zones in around 40,000 villages, integrated with thematic village programmes. He expressed optimism that Indonesia would not only achieve food self-sufficiency but also emerge as one of Asia’s largest fish exporters.