President Prabowo Ensures Faster and More Targeted Distribution of Subsidized Fertilizers

By: Arsenio Bagas Pamungkas )*

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the distribution of subsidized fertilizers runs faster and more targeted. Concrete steps have been taken by simplifying the distribution scheme which has often been a major obstacle for farmers.

Since the beginning of 2025, the government has recorded success in distributing subsidized fertilizers on time, an achievement that previously often experienced technical and administrative obstacles.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said that President Prabowo’s attention to the agricultural sector is very great, as evidenced by the various stimuli given to farmers.

The government not only distributes fertilizers more efficiently, but also designs an easier redemption scheme. If previously farmers had to go through a long procedure, now they can redeem fertilizers simply by using their ID cards at official kiosks. With this system, distribution becomes more transparent and faster, so farmers can use it immediately without having to wait a long time.

Decree of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia Number 644/KPTS/SR.310/M.11/2024 is the main basis for the allocation of subsidized fertilizer this year. A total of 9.5 million tons of fertilizer is allocated to farmers in various sub-sectors, including food crops, horticulture, and plantations.

The area of ​​land entitled to receive subsidized fertilizer is a maximum of two hectares, including farmers who are members of the Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH) and Social Forestry. The government ensures that this distribution will continue to be monitored so that it remains in accordance with the needs in the field.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono added that this step is in line with the government’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency. The main focus is not only on rice, but also on other commodities that still depend on imports, such as sugar, soybeans, and meat.

The government is targeting more independent food security by ensuring that all components in the agricultural sector, including fertilizers, seeds, and irrigation infrastructure, are available in sufficient quantities. This effort is also supported by the distribution of agricultural tools and machinery more evenly to various regions.

In the first three months of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, the impact of this policy began to be felt. National food production increased significantly, reducing dependence on imports.

World rice prices even decreased due to reduced demand from Indonesia. This shows that the government’s strategy in managing the agricultural sector has produced positive results in a short time.

Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan also emphasized that the success of accelerating the distribution of subsidized fertilizers cannot be separated from the reduction of bureaucracy which has been the main obstacle.

Previously, fertilizer distribution had to go through various administrative stages, including Decrees from the Regent, Governor, and Minister of Trade. This long process often caused delays in distribution. The government has now simplified the flow, ensuring that fertilizers reach farmers directly without complicated procedures.

Optimizing agricultural land is also a major focus in efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency. The new rice field program, which has been started in several regions such as Merauke and Kalimantan, is expected to significantly increase the area of ​​planted land. In addition, the development of irrigation infrastructure has been strengthened to ensure a stable water supply for agricultural land.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the agricultural sector contributed 13.71% to national economic growth in the third quarter of 2024. This figure makes the agricultural sector an important pillar in the Indonesian economy, in second place after the processing industry.

With policies that increasingly facilitate farmers’ access to fertilizers and other production facilities, the productivity of this sector is predicted to continue to increase in the next few years.

Farmers in various regions welcome the government’s steps to accelerate the distribution of subsidized fertilizers. They feel the direct benefits of this new policy, where fertilizers can be obtained more easily and without excessive administrative barriers. With the availability of fertilizers on time, they can start the planting season earlier and optimize harvest yields.

The government is targeting Indonesia to achieve food self-sufficiency in 2027, faster than the initial plan set in 2028. With the strategies that have been implemented, this target is becoming more realistic to achieve.