PT Pupuk and PT Petrokimia’s Financial Gains Must Go Hand in Hand with Farmers’ Welfare

PARLEMENTARIA, Gresik — Slamet, a member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, stressed the importance of sustaining the national fertilizer industry through corporate efficiency and ensuring that fertilizer remains available and affordable for farmers. He made the statement while taking part in a Commission VI working visit to Gresik, East Java, on Saturday (14/11/2026). 

Slamet praised PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) and PT Petrokimia Gresik for continuing to record profits amid global economic pressures. Nevertheless, he cautioned that as state-owned enterprises entrusted with carrying out government mandates, their financial performance must be balanced with their public service responsibilities, particularly ensuring farmers’ welfare by making fertilizer accessible and affordable. 

“First, I would certainly like to commend Pupuk Indonesia in general, and Petrokimia Gresik in particular, for managing to make a profit despite extraordinary global pressures, while several similar companies have suffered losses. My only note is that, as a corporation, it is commendable to make a profit, but at the same time, there is a mandate from the government that must be fulfilled. We must ensure that profits go hand in hand with farmers’ welfare,” Slamet told Parlementaria after the meeting.

The PKS faction politician said the sustainability of the national fertilizer industry depended heavily on companies’ ability to improve operational efficiency consistently and measurably. In his view, profit growth should be underpinned by genuine production efficiencies, rather than driven solely by higher fertilizer prices or gains from foreign exchange fluctuations. 

“Amid such intense global pressures, efficiency will determine whether a corporation can survive. When there are profits, what percentage of them actually comes from efficiency, rather than simply from price increases or fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate? Efficiency must therefore be the main determining factor,” Slamet stressed. 

In line with these efforts, Slamet called for the accelerated revitalization of national fertilizer production facilities, particularly older plants with low utilization rates and high energy consumption. He said that upgrading infrastructure was essential to increase plant utilization, achieve operational efficiencies, and strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic fertilizer industry. 

“Revitalization is essential to improve the utilization of our companies. We must revitalize all of them, particularly fertilizer plants, because this concerns the future,” explained the legislator representing West Java IV. 

Slamet further stressed that improving efficiency and revitalizing production facilities must be part of efforts to safeguard the sustainability of the national fertilizer supply. A strong fertilizer industry, he said, must not only generate profits but also ensure that farmers’ fertilizer needs are properly met. 

Looking ahead, he hopes that state-owned fertilizer companies will continue to improve their operational performance while optimally carrying out their government mandates. This would ensure that corporate success is measured not only by profits, but also by contributions to farmers’ welfare and national food security. 

“We must ensure that profits go hand in hand with farmers’ welfare,” Slamet concluded. (jih/rdn)