Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia During Joint Rice Planting at Kalibogor District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province, January 3, 2024

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I want to make sure that at the beginning of January, the planting season is started because the rain has fallen, meaning that the rain can meet the water needs for planting. In December we planted 1.4 million [hectares], in January 1.7 million hectares, then in February 1.4 million hectares, so we hope there will be an increase in our rice production during the next harvest in March-April.

Press
Sir, what complaints did the farmers convey to you?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
They talked about fertilizer. I have told them that the farmers don’t have to use a Farmer’s Card to buy fertilizer. They can use KTP (resident ID card). As many as 1.7 million tons of fertilizer have been prepared for this harvest period from PT Pupuk Indonesia. I think that is sufficient. We hope that there will be no more complaints about fertilizer. Then, I have also asked the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance to add fertilizer subsidies fund amounting to approximately Rp14 trillion.

Press
Sir, apart from fertilizer issue, they also complained about diesel scarcity.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
No such thing.

Press
Sir, what kind of breakthroughs is needed to make Central Java return as the runner up for biggest rice producer?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The fertilizer supply must be ready. Planting season must be immediately started at the beginning of this year. If the target is hard to achieve, it means that except fertilizer, there is another issue about irrigation and high sediment in the dam. This will be done by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing as soon as possible.

Press
Regarding fertilizer, many farmers have difficulty buying from distributors for subsidized price. But when they buy from retailers, the price is doubled.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That must be continuously controlled, the distributors and the retailers. Don’t let subsidized fertilizer be sold to non-farmers. That case happens a lot but everything will be monitored and controlled, okay, is that enough?

Press
Enough, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Thank you.

(EST/MUR)