Bulog Commits to Absorbing Blora Corn for Feed and Bioethanol

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The state-owned company PT Perum Bulog is committed to absorbing corn production from farmers in Blora, Central Java, for food needs up to plant-based fuel, bioethanol.

Bulog’s President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani stated that the company promises to support farmers and maintain national food stability.

Rizal made this statement at the Quarter I Major Corn Harvest and Quarter II Simultaneous Corn Planting event in Randublatung Subdistrict, Blora Regency.

“We are directly witnessing the extraordinary enthusiasm of Blora’s farmers. Bulog is committed to absorbing all corn production in Blora, both for animal feed and bioethanol needs,” Rizal said in an official statement on Friday (3/4/2026).

This demand is seen as a major opportunity for corn farmers because the commodity requires only three months from planting to harvest.

“The national bioethanol needs are very large, requiring around 3.2 million tonnes of corn,” Rizal said.

In the same statement, Blora Regent Arief Rohman described his region as the second-largest corn producer in Central Java.

However, Blora’s corn has so far been sold raw to areas outside the region.

The Blora Regency Government hopes for downstream corn processing projects, such as building feed mills.

“If downstream processing is realised, the economic value for farmers will increase and welfare will improve,” Arief said.

According to Arief, the current corn planting area in Blora is around 83,000 hectares.

From just 15 hectares of harvested planting land, it produces 7 million tonnes per hectare. [Note: This appears to be a reporting error; likely intended as 7 tonnes per hectare.]

He is optimistic that in the future, the corn planting area can exceed 100,000 hectares.

“With support from all parties, we are optimistic about becoming number one in Central Java,” he said.

On that occasion, Kopassus Commander Lieutenant General TNI Djon Afriandi emphasised that national corn production must be increased.

According to him, corn needs for feed reach 15 million tonnes per year.

He also reminded of the government’s directive to develop 1 million hectares of corn for bioethanol purposes.

“Blora is the starting point for that development,” said Yudi. [Note: Likely a reference to Djon Afriandi or another speaker.]