RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has solidified a partnership with state-owned fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Indonesia to streamline the distribution of subsidized fertilizers, a move aimed at safeguarding the livelihoods of traditional fish farmers.

Recognizing that fertilizer is the "backbone" of traditional aquaculture, the government is ensuring that essential inputs reach pond operators, particularly those in the nation’s leading milkfish (bandeng) production hubs.

The initiative highlights a surge in the aquaculture sector, with the number of fish farmers in regions like Gresik skyrocketing from 13,210 in 2021 to 32,505 in 2025.

For traditional farmers, fertilizer is not used directly on the fish, but to stimulate the growth of plankton, which serves as natural feed. Without a steady supply, fish growth is stunted, and production costs soar as farmers are forced to buy expensive commercial alternatives.

“For traditional farmers, fertilizer is the main support. Without fertilizer, fish growth is not optimal, and production costs increase,” said Tb. Haeru Rahayu, Director General of Aquaculture at KKP, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

In Gresik alone, milkfish production reached 112,590 tons in 2025, accounting for over half of East Java's total output of 203,338 tons. This productivity is heavily dependent on the availability of subsidized urea and NPK fertilizers.

The distribution is governed by Ministerial Regulation No. 22 /2025 on Subsidized Fertilizer Management in the Fisheries Sector. For the 2026 Fiscal Year, the government has allocated 66,571 tons of subsidized fertilizer for East Java, with 9,825 tons specifically earmarked for Gresik.

Nationally, the total allocation for the aquaculture sector stands at approximately 295,000 tons.

Deputy Speaker of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Panggah Susanto, emphasized that the needs of Gresik’s farmers have been integrated into national subsidy recommendations. He stressed the importance of oversight to prevent supply chain leakage.

“Fertilizer distribution must be right on target down to the farmer level, accompanied by strong distribution supervision in the field,” Susanto asserted. ***