Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The 12.5 percent rise in the highest retail price (HET) of subsidized urea fertilizer per January 1, 2012 from Rp1,600 to Rp1,800 per kg will pose a burden to farmers, National Outstanding Farmers and Fishermen Association (KTNA) spokesman Winarno Thohir said here on Wednesday.
"Farmers with less than one hectare of farmland will be burdened with the subsidized fertilizer price hikes of 12.5 percent," Winarno said.
He noted that although the prices of subsidized fertilizers rose by Rp200 per kg, it would affect the consumption of fertilizers and crops.
"For the farmers with very small farmland, the price hikes will be influential because their expenses will be greater than their income," he said.
Winarno added that trade of agricultural produce in the country was bad enough so it made the farmers difficult to sell their produce.
According to him, the subsidized urea fertilizer would this year be given pink color to prevent it from being abused.(IGT)
