Optimism for Indonesia to achieve self-sufficiency in consumption\nsugar this year is increasingly finding a strong foundation. This is\nsupported by production data trends, targeted programme interventions,\nand transformations in the sugar sector that are beginning to show\ntangible results.<\/p>\n
In this context, the agricultural downstreaming programme\nspecifically through ratoon dismantling and sugarcane area expansion for\nthe 2025\u20132027 period will be an important catalyst in accelerating the\nrealisation of national sugar independence.<\/p>\n
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that national\nsugar production in recent years has experienced an upward trend,\nalthough it has not yet fully met domestic needs. National white crystal\nsugar (GKP) production in 2023 was around 2.3\u20132.4 million tonnes, while\nhousehold consumption needs reached approximately 2.8 million tonnes.\nThis shortfall has been covered through imports.<\/p>\n
However, since last year, there have been significant developments.\nThe national sugarcane area, which had stagnated at around 400\u2013450\nthousand hectares, has begun to show an increase, in line with\ngovernment policy interventions. Sugarcane productivity is also slowly\nimproving from an average of about 65 tonnes per hectare to 70\u201375 tonnes\nper hectare in some production centres. Even, in areas applying modern\ncultivation practices, productivity can reach more than 90 tonnes per\nhectare.<\/p>\n
More importantly, the sugarcane yield, which has long been a weak\npoint, is beginning to improve. If previously the national average yield\nwas around 6\u20137 percent, now some revitalised sugar factories can achieve\nyields above 8 percent. A one percent increase in yield alone can\nsignificantly boost national sugar production without needing to\ndrastically expand the land area.<\/p>\n
Game Changer Named Ratoon Dismantling<\/p>\n
In this framework, the ratoon dismantling programme becomes highly\nstrategic. The Directorate General of Estates (Ditjenbun) of the\nMinistry of Agriculture is actively promoting the rejuvenation of old,\nunproductive sugarcane plants. The ratoon dismantling target in recent\nyears has reached tens of thousands of hectares per year, focusing on\ncentre regions such as East Java, Central Java, and Lampung.<\/p>\n
This programme is supported by the provision of certified superior\nseeds, production facility assistance, and technical guidance to\nfarmers. The new varieties planted have higher productivity potential,\nare resistant to environmental stresses, and have better yields. In the\nshort term, this programme is expected to increase productivity by at\nleast 10\u201320 percent compared to old ratoon plants.<\/p>\n
In addition, the Directorate General of Estates is also implementing\nthe Integrated Sugarcane Area Development programme that connects\nfarmers with sugar factories in one production ecosystem. This area\napproach enables more standardised cultivation management, efficiency in\nraw material distribution, and improved quality of sugarcane that is\nmilled.<\/p>\n
Another equally important step is the massive expansion of sugarcane\nareas in the 2025\u20132027 period. The government targets the addition of\nnew sugarcane land up to hundreds of thousands of hectares, especially\noutside Java such as South Sumatra, Lampung, South Sulawesi, and Papua.\nThis step aligns with efforts to even out development and optimise\npotential land that has not been maximally utilised so far.<\/p>\n
If this expansion programme runs according to plan, the national\nsugarcane area has the potential to increase to more than 700 thousand\nhectares in the coming years. With an assumed average productivity of 80\ntonnes per hectare and a yield of 9 percent, national sugar production\nhas the potential to break through to 4 million tonnes. This figure not\nonly suffices to meet consumption needs but also opens opportunities to\nsignificantly reduce import dependency.<\/p>\n
Downstreaming and Revitalisation<\/p>\n
Downstreaming becomes a key element in ensuring the sustainability of\nthat production increase. It is not enough to just increase sugarcane\nproduction, but it must also be balanced with adequate processing\nindustry capacity. Currently, Indonesia has more than 60 sugar\nfactories, but most still use old technology with low efficiency.<\/p>\n
Through the revitalisation programme, the government targets an\nincrease in milling capacity and efficiency of sugar factories.\nInvestment in modern technology, including automation systems and energy\nefficiency, is a priority. Even, some new sugar factories built outside\nJava have been designed with an integrated concept, not only producing\nsugar, but also bioethanol and electricity from sugarcane waste.<\/p>\n
From an economic perspective, this downstreaming provides significant\nadded value. Derivative products like bioethanol have great market\npotential, especially in supporting renewable energy programmes. Thus,\nthe sugar industry not only becomes a food sector, but also part of the\nnational energy strategy.<\/p>\n
Optimism for sugar self-sufficiency is also supported by government\npolicies in maintaining price stability and farmer protection. The\nsetting of reference sugar prices, import controls, and financing\nsupport through the People\u2019s Business Credit (KUR) become important\ninstruments in creating a healthy business ecosystem.<\/p>\n
However, the success of this very much depends on consistent\nimplementation in the field. Challenges such as climate change,\ninfrastructure limitations, and inter-agency coordination must be\naddressed systematically. This is where strengthening data systems and\nagricultural digitalisation is important.<\/p>\n
The use of digital technology in land monitoring, production\nforecasting, to supply chain management can improve efficiency and\ndecision-making accuracy. With accurate data, the government can\nformulate more targeted policies, while farmers can increase\nproductivity through information-based cultivation practices.<\/p>\n
This momentum must also be utilised to strengthen the role of the\nyounger generation in se<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/achieving-sugar-self-sufficiency-by-2026-1776567042", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }