Use of Farmer Cards in the Distribution of Subsidized Fertilizer in Pasuruan Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Currently, the Indonesian government is aggressively increasing Indonesia's food productivity in order to achieve national food security. Agricultural production facilities that have a vital role in increasing productivity and quality are fertilizers. Therefore, the government, in this case, the Ministry of Agriculture, and other legislative bodies has made a policy to facilitate the provision of subsidized fertilizer in the agricultural sector. In the last four years, Pasuruan Regency experienced an increase in fertilizer allocation only in 2021, while for the following two years,Pasuruan Regency experienced a decrease in subsidized fertilizer allocation and types of subsidized fertilizer based on national-level allocation. Many obstacles and problems were encountered during the implementation of the use of the Tani Card for subsidized fertilizer transactions. This research aims to describe and analyze the implementation of the policy on using the Farmer's Card in the distribution and use of subsidized fertilizer and to describe and analyze the supporting factors and factors that hinder the policy on using the Farmer's Card.This research uses a qualitative-descriptive approach and data collection techniques using interviews, observation, and documentation, as well as using Spradley's data analysis techniques, with the research focus being the level of understanding of farmers, the flow of distribution and use of Farmer Cards, control over the use of subsidized fertilizers and the government's commitment to distribution of subsidized fertilizer. The results of this research conclude that the implementation of the Tani Card, seen based on the focus of the research, cannot run optimally, even though several factors support the running of the Tani Card program in redeeming subsidized fertilizer.