State-owned fertilizer producer Pupuk Indonesia is intensifying agriculture research through its subsidiary, Pupuk Indonesia Pangan, in its effort to strengthen national food security.
Pupuk Indonesia investment director Gusrizal said his office had contributed to food security through its research and development programs nationwide since 2013.
“We have conducted research programs in Kapuas [Central Kalimantan], Ketapang [West Kalimantan] and Merauke [Papua],” Gusrizal said in a statement on Monday.
He further said Pupuk Indonesia had prepared Rp 30 billion (US$2.3 million) to conduct research on upstream product development and fertilizing, land cultivation and for marketing programs conducted under the assistance of agriculture experts from various institutions this year.
“The research has helped farmers increase their harvest yields for the last three years,” Gusrizal claimed.
He further said the company would focus on researching downstream products, such as ammonia and urea fertilizers.