Jakarta. Pupuk Indonesia reiterated its commitment to support the government's goal of achieving garlic self-sufficiency via fertilizer distribution.

Speaking at a recent webinar, Pupuk Indonesia VP of Customer Management Robbin Radhian Lee said that garlic farmers would receive government-subsidized fertilizer. 

"We are ready to collaborate with the government to speed up garlic self-sufficiency. ... We are prepared to provide support through the supply of agricultural inputs," he said.

Garlic holds high economic value, stable market demand, and substantial growth potential. However, Indonesia remains highly reliant on foreign garlic.

Fertilization contributes roughly 25% to the crop's productivity. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur serve distinct yet complementary functions.

To achieve a yield of 10–15 tons of fresh tubers per hectare, the webinar recommended the application of a total of 300 kg of Urea Nitrea and 600 kg of NPK Phonska on a 15-15-15 ratio, gradually in line with the crop's growth phase. This is key to enhance nutrient uptake efficiency while minimizing potential fertilizer loss due to volatilization or leaching caused by rainfall.

"In the initial phase, fertilization focuses on supporting shoot and root growth, followed by support for tuber formation and enlargement through the use of NPK-dominant fertilizers," Robbin said.

Subsidized fertilizers aim to help farmers obtain production inputs at more affordable prices. There are, however, some requirements before they can get those facilities. The farmers must be part of a farmer group and registered in the e-RDKK system, among others. 

Pupuk Indonesia also promotes farmer welfare via the Makmur Program.

This program enables integrated cultivation support—ranging from access to agricultural inputs and the implementation of good farming practices to financing support and market access—through collaboration with various stakeholders. 

Pupuk Indonesia is also constructing a plant to produce nitrate-based NPK fertilizer to support garlic self-sufficiency. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in 2027 with a production capacity of 100,000 tons.

Productivity Target

Muhammad Agung Sanusi, a senior official at the Agricultural Ministry, revealed that Indonesia was one self-sufficient in garlic in the 1990s. In 1995, output even totaled 152,421 tons.

President Prabowo Subianto had ordered for the country to be able to meet its domestic garlic needs on its own by the end of this year. In 2025, demand reached 626,950 tons, but some 525,640 tons came from foreign supplies.

National garlic productivity currently ranges from 6.39 to 8.16 tons per hectare. The government aims to increase it to 20 tons per hectare.

The government has also earmarked a portion of the state budget to boost garlic productivity.

Development will cover 5,000 hectares in 2026. Its coverage will eventually grow to 20,000 hectares in 2027, 80,000 hectares in 2028, and 120,000 hectares in 2029, with a production target of 630,000 tons.

Fertilizer requirements are also projected to rise from 5,250 tons in 2026 to 111,300 tons in 2029, comprising Urea, SP-36, and KCl.

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