Agriculture Minister Confident Food Commodities Will Help Indonesia Achieve Energy Self-Sufficiency

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman is optimistic that Indonesia can achieve energy self-sufficiency through the utilisation of food commodities as raw materials for renewable energy. According to the Minister in Jakarta on Monday, the government is currently promoting downstreaming in the agriculture sector by optimising various food commodities. “This is biofuel; God willing, we will implement B50 this year and stop importing diesel,” he stated. In addition, the government is also beginning to develop ethanol-based fuel through the E20 blending scheme, which is petrol containing 20 per cent ethanol. “Then, the next stage, we just had a meeting about it, moving towards E20 ethanol. What does that mean? 20 per cent of the petrol is mixed with ethanol,” the Minister said. The Minister believes that this potential can be met from domestic food commodities. “Now, the source of ethanol is sugarcane. We have sugarcane, about 1 million tonnes that we export. God willing, we will turn this into ethanol for mixing with petrol. Then corn, a source of ethanol. Cassava, sugarcane, these are sources of ethanol,” he added. Not only that, the increase in crude palm oil (CPO) exports is also having a positive impact on the agriculture sector while supporting the development of commodity-based energy. “Our CPO exports have risen by 6 million tonnes. Now our CPO exports are 32 million tonnes. This is a blessing for Indonesian farmers,” he said. By utilising food commodities for energy, the Minister believes Indonesia can not only maintain food security but also achieve energy independence in the future. “What does that mean? In the future, we will be self-sufficient in food, God willing, safe. Our staple goods, and hopefully in the future self-sufficient in energy,” he stated. He emphasised that the success of this strategy will be the foundation for the vision of Indonesia as an advanced nation. “If this happens, Indonesia 2045 will be Golden Indonesia,” he concluded. In addition, the Minister conveyed that national food availability continues to strengthen. Currently, food stocks reach 4.3 million tonnes and are projected to increase to 5 million tonnes next month. “Today, our stock is 4.3 million tonnes (rice). Previously the highest was 4.2 million last year. Next month, God willing, 5 million tonnes,” he revealed.