Jakarta, Nov. 23 -- Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono defended the government's 20 percent cut in subsidized fertilizer prices, saying it is intended to boost farmers' productivity and strengthen national food security.

"Per 22 October, fertilizer prices have officially been lowered. Compensations are in place. Worry not, everything is under control," he said during an unannounced inspection in Malang, East Java.

According to a statement that ANTARA quoted here Sunday, Sudaryono said the ministry conducted inspections to ensure maximum retail prices comply with government regulations. The surprise visits aim to enforce the policy and prevent violations at the kiosk level.

He urged all distributors and kiosks to adopt...