Qodari Highlights Prabowo's Pro-Farmer Policies as Evidence of Government Support

Muhammad Qodari, Head of the Government Communication Body (Bakom), has detailed a number of President Prabowo Subianto’s policies as clear evidence of the government’s support for farmers. These policies range from lowering the price of subsidised fertiliser and simplifying its distribution, to providing agricultural machinery assistance and increasing the government purchase price (HPP) for grain. Qodari stated that all these policies have resulted in improved welfare for farmers and reinforced national food security. He noted that the government’s commitment was further emphasised by President Prabowo’s attendance at the 17th National Farmers and Fishermen’s Week (PENAS) in Gorontalo Regency. One significant step was ensuring the availability of subsidised fertiliser by doubling the quota to 9.5 million tonnes and cutting bureaucratic red tape. Under Presidential Regulation Number 6 of 2025 on Subsidised Fertiliser Governance, distribution is now carried out directly from PT Pupuk to farmer groups (Gapoktan) or cooperatives, making the redemption process simpler as farmers only need to present their ID cards. The entire distribution system has been digitally integrated for greater transparency. Furthermore, the government reduced subsidised fertiliser prices by up to 20 percent starting in October 2025, with urea dropping from Rp2,250 to Rp1,800 per kilogram and NPK from Rp2,300 to Rp1,840 per kilogram. Subsidised fertiliser for the fisheries sector, amounting to 295,000 tonnes, was also reinstated after a four-year hiatus. To accelerate agricultural modernisation, the government distributed agricultural machinery (alsintan) including two-wheel and four-wheel tractors, rice transplanters, combine harvesters, and drones for seeding and pest spraying. In 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture prepared 38,969 units of machinery with a budget of Rp4.19 trillion, alongside a low-interest credit scheme through state and regional banks. The government also raised the purchase price of grain by Bulog from Rp6,000 to Rp6,500 per kilogram without quality deductions, ensuring profitable prices for farmers. Qodari noted that these policies have yielded positive results, with national rice production reaching 34.69 million tonnes in 2025 according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), aligning with FAO and USDA data. He highlighted that the Farmers’ Terms of Trade (NTP) reached 127.73 in May 2026, the highest in 34 years, indicating a significant improvement in farmers’ economic conditions and purchasing power.