Fertilizer Distribution System Research Articles

Optimization of Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution System Design in East Java Due to Uncertainty Factors

Objective: The purpose of this study is to optimize the optimal location and number of distribution warehouses in the face of a significant decrease in the allocation of subsidized Urea and NPK fertilizers. This research is conducted on subsidized fertilizers with multi-product characteristics (Urea and NPK fertilizers), multi-period (2021-2022), and uncertainty (government policy on allocation). The objectives of this study are produce a distribution network design model and optimize the number and location of warehouses needed to minimize total logistics costs.
 
 Methods: This research uses a quantitative approach in solving the problems faced by companies. To obtain the lowest logistics cost, optimization calculations are performed via model development. The model employed is mixed integer linear programming, which employs a combination of multi-source capacitated models, multi-product models, and multi-stage models. Furthermore, by examining storage consumption, the optimization calculation may be utilized to estimate the existing amount of storage facilities. The anticipated goal is to reduce logistical costs and enhance warehouse usage for storing subsidized fertilizer.
 
 Results: The results of this study from 43 warehouses to 33 warehouses located in East Java Province with operational savings costs that can be obtained by PT Petrokimia Gresik amounting to IDR 1,863,794,700.

Study of Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution System in Karawang Regency, West Java-Indonesia

Fertilizer is a crucial and strategic requirement for enhancing production, productivity, quality, and competitiveness of agricultural products across various sectors, including food crops, horticulture, smallholder plantations, livestock, and fisheries. Given its importance, it is deemed necessary to subsidize fertilizers. However, issues arise with fertilizer subsidies, such as the yearly increase in the budget allocated for these subsidies, which poses a significant burden on the government. Additionally, the low cost of urea (N) makes it susceptible to misuse in terms of excessive and unbalanced application, non-agricultural use, and leakage of subsidized fertilizer to the state. It is suggested that targeted cash transfers be implemented, and demand and supply market forces determine domestic fertilizer prices. This study aimed to identify the system of distribution, distribution channels, and aspects of equity and distribution of subsidized fertilizers in Karawang Regency. The methodology involves field research, data analysis, policy review, stakeholder consultation, and implementation monitoring. The aim is to ensure effective subsidy distribution and increased agricultural productivity. The study found that subsidized fertilizers provide several benefits to farmers, such as affordable prices, guaranteed availability even in remote areas, assured quality due to SNI standards, increased interest in sustainable farming, and contribution to national agricultural productivity improvements. However, eliminating fertilizer subsidies at the farm level could reduce productivity by up to 9.50%. The study recommends maintaining the budget for fertilizer subsidies in Karawang Regency with adjustments made to the distribution system based on the unique needs of each farmer in different locations. It also suggests assisting extension workers through local government regarding the suitability/accuracy of dosage and environmentally friendly fertilizer.

Assessing risk and sustainability factors in spice supply chain management

The inopportune organization of spice supply chains (SSCs) results in aided risks, resource wastages, and sustainability issues. Nevertheless, practitioners and academicians alike must investigate spice supply chain management (SSCM) in terms of long-term sustainability. This study draws on the available literature to compile a collection of characteristics and maintain sustainable spice supply chain management techniques which come up with associated risks and relevant obstacles. Existing studies claim that due to a lack of resources, the associated risks are the root of poor SSCM performance. As a result, the goal of this study is to identify the primary risk variables using qualitative data; nevertheless, the attributes must be converted into a scale that is comparable. The fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) was used to obtain valid and reliable attributes from qualitative data, while the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (FDEMATEL) was used to address uncertainty and interrelationships simultaneously. FDM results suggest that there are eighteen critical risk variables and seven risks threatening effective SSCM. FDEMATEL results reveal qualitative data translated into crisp, comparable values in order to investigate causal linkages between variables and confirm the compatibility of the theoretical structure with industry realities. The findings show fluctuation in the Price (C8), diseases and pests (C20), human contamination (C23), spice adulteration (C24), and loss of food quality, and quantity (C36) are all important risks and sub-risks in these causative interrelationships. The primary risks involved in enhancing SCM include Financial Risk (A5), Ergonomic Risk (A8), and Operation and Management Risk (A10). The study recommends that industry professionals use future marketing tools to protect themselves from price changes which allow them to assess supply and demand circumstances and manage price risks over distance and time. Spices are the key contributors to earning a sizable amount of foreign currency through export in a developing country. It suggests to policymakers, regulatory organizations, and practitioners to develop regulations, raise farmer understanding about pest control, impose stiff penalties on vendors and businesses proven to be involved in spice adulteration, and develop a sustainable fertilizer distribution system. These corresponding action plans for improving the SSC sector and comparing it with agro-food and short-supply chains are investigated. This study contributes to theory by utilizing FDM and FDEMATEL methods for addressing the uncertainty and interrelationship among associated risks that hinder SCM from attaining sustainability.

Analisis Sistem Distribusi Pupuk Bersubsidi di Kabupaten Simalungun, Sumatera Utara (Studi Kasus CV. Mas Ayu Lestari)

Analysis of Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution System in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra (Study Case: Cv. Mas Ayu Lestari)
 To increase production and productivity, fertilizer is one of the main keys to success in farming systems. Subsidized fertilizers are fertilizers whose procurement and distribution receive subsidies from the government for the needs of farmers. The scarcity of subsidized fertilizers occurs due to uncertain causes, such as delays in distribution or missing somewhere, while farmers must pay attention to the planting period. The purpose of this study was to identify subsidized fertilizer distribution system and identifying subsidized fertilizer distribution problems in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra. The research method used is qualitative with the type of case study. Sources of data obtained are primary data and secondary data. The results of the study concluded that there were still problems with the distribution system of subsidized fertilizers in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra which resulted in not achieving the right 6 principles, especially in the right place, in the right amount and at the right time. The suggestions that can be submitted are to pay more attention to the management of the availability of subsidized fertilizers among farmers through supervision and communication among actors in distributing subsidized fertilizers.

ANALISIS SALURAN DISTRIBUSI DAN MARGIN PADA PUPUK UREA BERSUBSIDI (STUDI KASUS PADA DI DESA DAME, KECAMATAN DOLOK MASIHUL)

Dolok Masihul is one of the sub-districts in Serdang Bedagai Regency. The fertilizer distribution system in this region is still not in accordance with the policies set by the government. The amount of subsidized fertilizer that farmers in this village should receive is 25 kg, but in reality the subsidized fertilizer that reaches farmers is only 3 kg. This is not appropriate because the fertilizer that farmers need for their rice is still very low, so farmers are required to buy back the fertilizer which should be subsidized. The research aims to describe fertilizer distribution channels and margins on subsidized urea fertilizer. The research results show thatProducers consist of PT. Pupuk Sriwijaya as a producer of Urea Fertilizer is then distributed to distributors, namely the Urea Fertilizer Distributor by PT Tani Mulia. PT Tani Mulia acts as the second channel which receives fertilizer from the Pusri warehouse and distributes the fertilizer to all retailers so that it reaches the final consumer, namely farmers. Then each distributor distributes the subsidized fertilizer to retailers. The type of fertilizer distributed to farmers is Urea fertilizer. Once at the retail agent level, it will then be distributed to the Farmer Group level, for the number of farmer groups that receive subsidized fertilizer from each village, namely 12 farmer groups. At the next level the fertilizer will be distributed to the final consumers, namely farmers. The marketing costs incurred by distributors of subsidized urea fertilizer are IDR 92/Kg. Meanwhile, the marketing costs incurred by retailers of subsidized urea fertilizer are IDR 93/Kg. Share Margin for subsidized urea fertilizer distributors is 4.4% and Share Margin for subsidized urea fertilizer retailers is 5.19%

Aadhaar and social assistance programming: local bureaucracies as critical intermediary

ABSTRACT Digital identity platforms are a recent e-governance innovation for improving social assistance programming in the development context, the most well-known of which is India's Aadhaar. While a significant number of studies have accumulated on Aadhaar, so far under-researched is the importance of local government practices and processes in shaping usage of the platform to support social assistance programming. In this paper we theorize how local government intermediation on digital identity platforms can improve social assistance programming through a case study of the Aadhaar-enabled Fertilizer Distribution System (AeFDS) in Andhra Pradesh. Our findings show how the relevance of the platform for low-income farmers depends crucially on the proactive adaptation of the technology by key local government intermediaries. From a policy perspective, this result emphasizes the importance of supporting efforts to acknowledge the role of responsive local government agencies in ensuring that centralized digital identity platforms remain relevant for implementing social assistance programming.

Climate, land area and fertilizer distribution policy supports to Lampung strategic food production

Rainfall, land area, and subsidized fertilizer distribution system policies are predicted to affect the production of strategic crops in Lampung Province. This study aims to determine how much influence the rainfall, land area, and distribution system of subsidized fertilizers on the production of rice, corn and cassava in Lampung Province and determine the carrying capacity of climate, land and fertilizer distribution policies on the production of strategic food crops in Lampung. This study used a descriptive analysis method by taking data on rainfall, land area, subsidized fertilizer distribution system and time-series food crop production for 15 years (2002-2016). Data analysis used multiple linear regression with Eviews 9.0 software. Testing data using assumption tests (autocorrelation and multicollinearity), F test (overall), correlation coefficient (r), coefficient of determination (R). The results showed that each 1 mm/year increase in rainfall in Lampung Province from 2002-2016 would reduce rice production by 45.6 tons, corn by 87.97 tons and cassava by 733.6 tons. Meanwhile, every increase of 1 hectare of land in Lampung Province will increase rice production by 6.2 tons, corn 4.65 tons, and cassava 26.01 tons. In addition, the subsidized fertilizer distribution system variable which is also part of the production factor also plays a positive role in the production of rice, corn and cassava. The carrying capacity of rainfall, land area, and the distribution system of subsidized fertilizers on Lampung strategic food crop production are rice 96.1%, corn 86.9% and cassava 79.09%.

Implementation and constraints of of the use of farmer’s card in increasing the effectiveness of subsidized fertilizer distribution in Ciamis and Pati District

The subsidized fertilizer distribution policy is still facing various problems. The government continues to make efforts to improve it, including through the farmer’s card mechanism. The research aims to analyze the development and problems of implementing farmer’s card, as well as formulating strategies to improve the implementation of farmer’s card. The study was conducted in Ciamis and Pati didtrict, 2019. The data collected includes primary data from interviews with 30 rice farmers, 4 kiosks and 2 fertilizer distributors, and secondary data from the Agriculture Office of the research location. Data analysis was carried out quantitatively and descriptively qualitatively. The results showed that the process of printing the farmer's card in Ciamis and Pati Regencies respectively 99.75% and 74.0% of the total proposed farmer’s card. The problems faced in the application of the farmer’s card are the incomplete data of farmers in the eDPFGN, the improvement of data on land tenure for each planting season, and the limited availability of EDC equipment at each fertilizer kiosk. To improve the fertilizer distribution system through the farmer's card, it is necessary to improve the validation of the eDPFGN data, infrastructure support and human resources at the fertilizer kiosk and farmer group level.

Design and experiment of centralized pneumatic deep precision fertilization device for rice transplanter

To improve the precision of deep fertilization of paddy fields, a six-row centralized pneumatic deep precision fertilization device for a rice transplanter was designed. This device included a spiral fertilizer distribution system, centralized pneumatic fertilizer delivery system, an opener system, and a fertilization control system. The centralized airflow distribution method was used in the fertilizer delivery system to ensure that the airflow in each fertilizer pipe was evenly distributed. The rotational speeds of the power take-off (PTO) and fertilizer shaft were measured synchronously using photoelectric sensors and matched proportionately in real-time using PID closed-loop control algorithms to achieve precise fertilization rates at each working speed of the rice transplanter. There were two key considerations in the design of the control system to ensure precise fertilization. Firstly, a photoelectric sensor was used to measure the speed of the PTO; the high rotational speed of the PTO could provide a high signal frequency and improve the precision of the measurement of the transplanter’s working speed. Secondly, the fertilizer shaft speed measurement subprogram was set to sleep for a short period to reduce the vibration caused by the engine. During the tests of pneumatic fertilizer delivery system, single-factor tests on airflow distribution methods were conducted. The results showed that the coefficient of variation of the airflow speed for the centralized airflow distribution method was 1.67%, which was the least among the coefficients of the three distribution methods. In the bench tests, the rotational speeds of the fertilizer shaft were set at 10 r/min, 20 r/min, 30 r/min, and 40 r/min. The maximum coefficient of variation of the fertilization consistency in different rows was 1.49% at the rotational speed of 20 r/min. The maximum coefficient of variation of the fertilization stability was 2.86% at the rotational speed of 40 r/min, while the average fertilizer amount per lap for each distributor was 26.25 g/r. The results of the dynamic fertilization tests showed that the maximum relative error of the fertilizer distribution amount was 2.00% when the target fertilizer rates were 20, 30, and 40 kg/667 m2. The results of the field tests showed that the average relative error of the fertilization amount was 3.53%, which satisfies the design standard. This research provides a reference for optimizing pneumatic fertilizer delivery systems and improving fertilization control systems and other pneumatic precision fertilizer application devices. Keywords: agricultural machinery, deep precision fertilization, pneumatic, variable rate, transplanter, vibration elimination DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201306.5479 Citation: Zha X T, Zhang G Z, Zhang S J, Hou Q X, Wang Y, Zhou Y. Design and experiment of centralized pneumatic deep precision fertilization device for rice transplanter. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(6): 109–117.

Soybean seeds quality under different levels of vigor and fertilizing supplying

The aims to evaluate the soybean seeds quality in response to the vigor level of seeds and the fertilizing distribution system in the sowing row. The experimental design was random blocks organized in factorial scheme, being two growing environments (Passo Fundo – RS and Ernestina – RS) x three vigor levels classified as high, medium and low (90%, 70% and 60% vigor, respectively) x three fertilizing distribution systems (no distribution, conventional and overflow), and the treats disposed in four replicates. The measured characters were thousand seeds mass, germination, accelerated aging, electric conductivity, viability and vigor, shoot and root length, shoot and root dry matter and field emergency. Vigor and physiologic quality of produced seeds are intimately related to characteristic of environment of production and vigor level of used seeds. Elevated physiologic potential are obtained in seeds produced in specifically using seeds with high vigor independent of the fertilizer distribution system.

Efeito do mecanismo sulcador e densidade de plantas na cultura da canola, na resistência a penetração e na cultura da soja subsequente

A canola (Brassica napus L.) se apresenta como cultura invernal economicamente e agronomicamente interessante para produtores sul brasileiros. Há questionamento sobre a tecnologia de implantação da cultura. Assim, o objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o sistema de sulcamento para distribuição de adubo e da população de plantas na implantação da canola, e seus efeitos na resistência do solo à penetração e na cultura da soja subsequente. Foram utilizadas duas populações de canola (20 e 40 plantas m-2) e dois sistemas sulcadores (facão e disco duplo) com seis repetições em blocos ao acaso. Semeou-se com uma semeadora pneumática de precisão com espaçamento de 50 cm entre linhas. Na canola as variáveis avaliadas foram: Número de plantas por metro linear (NP), Massa de mil sementes (MMS), Produtividade (P), Comprimento de raiz (CR), Volume de raiz (VR), Massa seca de parte aérea (MSPA), Massa seca de raiz (MSR) e resistência à penetração (RP). Na soja foi quantificado a Produtividade, a Massa de mil sementes e o Diâmetro de Caule (DC). A população de 40 plantas m-2 proporciona maior produtividade, independente do sistema de sulcamento. O sulcador em facão promoveu maior CR, e menores MSPA e MSR. Há menor RP na linha de semeadura ao utilizar haste sulcadora, após implantação da canola. O manejo da canola, nos quesitos população e sistema de sulcamento, não afetaram a soja implantada na sequência.

Seed vigor level in association to fertilizer distribution

This work aimed at evaluating yielding responses of soybean seeds production fields in response to the association between seed vigor level and fertilizer distribution systems at the sowing line.Experimental design was randomized blocks design, with two growing environments (Passo Fundo - RS and Ernestina - RS) x three vigor levels (high = 90%, medium = 70% and low = 60%) x three fertilizer distribution systems (absence, conventional and by transhipment), arranged in four replicates, grain yield (GY). For grain yield (GY), it was applied the method genotype main effects and genotype environment interaction (GGE). Seed vigor levels and fertilizer distribution systems influence on seed yield, first pod insertion height, plant height, number of pods in the main stem and ramifications, magnitude and length of ramifications in soybean.The high vigor level in the conventional and by transshipment fertilization systems provided an absolute increase of 10.9 and 5.6% in seed yield, respectively, in Ernestina-RS. The conventional fertilizer distribution system, in Passo Fundo-RS, increased seed yield in 12.5% in plants originated from low vigor seeds.

Impacts and Future Perspectives of Fertilizer Policy in Indonesia

<p>The implementation of fertilizer subsidy policies have been applied comprehensively starting from the planning stage to fertilizer distribution system, including setting the highest retail price and the amount of subsidy. However, the policy has not been able to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers at the farm level. Planning on the amount of fertilizer demand is not fully accurate and supervision has not optimally implemented causing the distribution of subsidized fertilizer below the target. It is reported that farmers who manage less than 0.5 hectares of land received only 40 percent of the total subsidy and most farmers (90%) purchase subsidized fertilizer at prices higher than the highest retail prices. To overcome this problem, the government plan to change the distribution mechanism of subsidy from indirect subsidy to direct subsidy to farmers/ farmer groups. The expected impacts of that policy are: (1) farmers obtain direct benefits from fertilizer subsidies, (2) avoid disparity between the prices of subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers at the market, (3) reduce the possibility of scarcity of subsidized fertilizer supply, (4) improve cultural practices, especially in crops fertilizing, (5) increase the efficiency of using government subsidies, and (6) increase farmers income and welfare.</p>

Performance of a variable-rate distribution system for simultaneous fertilizer application

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a variable-rate fertilizer distribution system for coffee crop, simultaneously applying two products. Two types of tests were performed: transversal deposition and longitudinal deposition. The transversal deposition test, with tarps, aimed to quantify the variations between programmed and applied doses, using a completely randomized design (CRD), in a factorial scheme, and the Scott-Knott test at p < 0.05. The longitudinal deposition test aimed to determine the distribution characteristics of the equipment along the displacement line, based on relative frequency values. In addition, the application rates on both sides of the distribution system were analysed using a CRD and the Scott-Knott test at p < 0.05. The application variation in the transversal deposition test with tarps was 1.59%. The variable-rate distribution system remained stable regarding the longitudinal deposition, regardless of any interaction.

Study on the Evaluation of the Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution System

In order to ensure the delivery of the subsidized fertilizer to the farmer in “6 precision-goals”, i.e., quantity precision, type precision, time precision, place precision, quality precision and price precision in accordance to regulated Highest Retail Sale Price, the government has regulated the distribution system of subsidized fertilizer from the plant to the farmers by form of regulation issued by Indonesian Ministry of Trading. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the existing distribution system of subsidized fertilizer which is managed by one of the Public Service Obligation State-Owned Companies (PSO-SOC). The evaluation is carried out by comparing the cost of the existing distribution system with the proposed distribution system. Cost optimization of the proposed system makes use of Mixed Integer Linier Programing (MILP). Optimization is performed by restructuring the cluster and distribution warehouse, allowing through trips from plant directly to distributor’s warehouse, and skipping the producer’s warehouse storing. The proposed cluster restructuring can reduce the existing cost to 94% - 98%, while through trips can reduce the total cost to 61% - 72%. In case where through trips is allowed and producer’s warehouse is in operation and functioned as a buffer, the total cost is reduced to 64% - 78% from the existing cost. Based on the optimization result, it is concluded that the existing subsidized fertilizer distribution system could be improved by allowing through trips, while existing producer’s warehouse is still in operation as the buffer warehouse to ensure that the minimum stock is fulfilled. It is noted, however, that this system requires adequate information technology concurrently.

Developing new formulations and relaxations of single stage capacitated warehouse location problem (SSCWLP): Empirical investigation for assessing relative strengths and computational effort

In literature, single/multistage warehouse location problems have been attempted by Geoffrion and Graves [A.M. Geoffrion, G.W. Graves, Multicommodity distribution system design by Benders decomposition, Management Science 2 (1974) 82–114] and Sharma [R.R.K. Sharma, Modeling a fertilizer distribution system, European Journal of Operational Research 51 (1991) 24–34] among others and they have given completely different formulations. We use the formulation style given by Sharma and Sharma [R.R.K. Sharma, K.D. Sharma, A new dual based procedure for the transportation problem, European Journal of Operational Research 122 (3) (2000) 96–109] to develop variety of constraints that link real and 0–1 integer variables; thus developing many formulations of single stage capacitated warehouse location problem (SSCWLP). We relax the integer constraints on 0–1 variables to obtain their relaxations. Later we conduct an empirical investigation to find that there exist relaxations which give better bounds than the ‘strong’ relaxation of SSCWLP. We also find that SSCWLP when formulated using the style due to Sharma [R.R.K. Sharma, Modeling a fertilizer distribution system, European Journal of Operational Research 51 (1991) 24–34] takes significantly less computational time for optimal solution compared to the time taken to reach optimality for the SSCWLP problems when formulated using the style due to Geoffrion and Graves [A.M. Geoffrion, G.W. Graves, Multicommodity distribution system design by Benders decomposition, Management Science 2 (1974) 82–114]. Finally we conducted an experimental investigation on 100 problems of SSCWLP problems each of sizes 25 × 25 × 25, 50 × 50 × 50 and 100 × 100 × 100 and this establishes that the effectiveness of ‘capacity’ constraints proposed in this paper is particularly strong.

Strategy for development of fertilizer solutions for greenhouse tomatoes

A study of fertilization practices in intensively grown tomatoes, leading to a projection of developments in fertilizer usage is presented. Targets of optimal fertilization strategy were defined as follows: maximize fruit yield; maximize fruit quality; minimize environmental pollution with fertilizers; minimize corrosion of the fertilizer distribution system; minimize expenses on fertilizers. Information was gathered by literature searches and by personal interviews and visits to research institutes and growers.