What is Agriculture Minister Suswono actually fighting for? He insists on getting additional funds to subsidize fertilizers. But for years his ministry has been unable to overcome the abuses of this subsidy. Consequently, fertilizer shortages happen often, everywhere. Prices soar, farmers scream. Subsidies in the trillions of rupiah in the end fall in the laps of distributors, officials or legislators.

The request for additional fertilizer subs