{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1771296,
        "msgid": "sugarcane-and-the-promise-of-sovereignty-1780020355",
        "date": "2026-05-29 08:23:53",
        "title": "Sugarcane and the Promise of Sovereignty",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Agriculture",
        "summary": "East Java remains central to Indonesia's sugar industry, producing over half the nation's supply, with a target of self-sufficiency by 2026. Despite government efforts to modernise and improve yields, challenges such as colonial-era mills and low sugar extraction rates persist. The push for higher-quality seeds and crop rejuvenation is critical to overcoming these hurdles.",
        "content": "<p>Surabaya (ANTARA) - The sugarcane fields of East Java are more than\njust agricultural expanses stretching under the summer sun. Behind the\ntall stalks lies a long story of food security, industrial history,\nfarmers\u2019 livelihoods, and the nation\u2019s high-stakes gamble to reduce\nsugar import dependency.<\/p>\n<p>Sugar cane-laden trucks winding their way to mills in Kediri,\nSitubondo, Malang, and Magetan over recent weeks signal the resurgent\npulse of East Java\u2019s sugar industry. Grinding machines run almost\nnon-stop, factory sirens blare, farmers await yield results, and the\ngovernment strives for self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n<p>East Java remains the nation\u2019s sugar heartland, accounting for over\nhalf of Indonesia\u2019s sugar production. Provincial data shows white\ncrystal sugar output from the region will reach approximately 1.34\nmillion tonnes in 2025, the highest in a decade, solidifying its lead as\nthe top national supplier.<\/p>\n<p>Government optimism has strengthened with simultaneous ratoon removal\nand sugarcane rejuvenation programmes across regions. Kediri,\nProbolinggo, Magetan, and Malang are competing to expand land and boost\nproductivity, with the central government positioning East Java as the\nbackbone of the national 2026 sugar self-sufficiency target.<\/p>\n<p>Yet, Indonesia\u2019s sugar history teaches a crucial lesson:\nself-sufficiency is not merely about abundant harvests or machines\nrunning non-stop. The challenge is far more complex, often hidden\nbeneath production figures.<\/p>\n<p>New Ambitions<\/p>\n<p>Indonesia\u2019s sugar industry exists between two eras. On one side,\nmodernisation efforts and national targets; on the other, colonial-era\nfactories operating with limited efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Many East Java sugar mills have begun revitalisation, yet fundamental\nissues remain unresolved. Sugarcane yield rates at several plants hover\nbetween 7 and 8 per cent, meaning only a modest amount of sugar is\nextracted from 100kg of cane. Thus, improving seed quality, crop\nrejuvenation, and grinding efficiency are critical to achieving\nself-sufficiency.<\/p>\n<p>These figures indicate productivity still has room for improvement,\nboth in fields and factories. Weather, seed quality, irrigation systems,\nand cane transportation times all significantly impact sugar content in\nthe stalks.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, ratoon removal programmes are vital. Sugarcane left too long\nwithout rejuvenation suffers declining productivity. The government now\npromotes superior varieties that are drought-resistant and higher in\nsugar content.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sugarcane-and-the-promise-of-sovereignty-1780020355",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}