No more chemical fertilizer in Bali by 2013

DENPASAR: Bali has pledged to convert completely to using organic fertilizers by the year 2013, among efforts to realize the Clean and Green Bali goals.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika told legislators that the administration had allocated Rp 4 billion (US$400,000) as a fertilizer subsidy fund for the 2010 fiscal year.

Around Rp 2 billion was allocated to subsidize organic fertilizer.

The use of organic fertilizer is expected to help the island’s soil recover from chemical fertilizer use.

“This program is also intended to improve farmers’ incomes,” Pastika said. — JP