East Java Governor Visits Ngadirejo Sugar Factory to Support National Sugar Self-Sufficiency
The Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, monitored the sugarcane milling process at the Ngadirejo Sugar Factory in Kediri Regency, East Java, to ensure smooth operations in pursuit of national consumer sugar self-sufficiency targets. The Governor stated that the government is targeting increased productivity and expanded sugarcane acreage, particularly within East Java.
Regarding quality, the Governor noted an expected increase in sugar yield (rendemen). At the Ngadirelem Sugar Factory, the yield is projected to reach 8.5 per cent this milling season, marking an improvement over previous periods. She added that the government is actively implementing ‘ratoon destruction’ programmes to enhance the quality of the resulting sugarcane. The initial planting following this programme was conducted simultaneously across 15 locations in 11 regencies and cities.
Beyond ratoon destruction and initial planting, the sugarcane planting area in East Java is set to expand. By 2026, East Java has been assigned the largest target, covering 54,897 hectares across 24 sugarcane-producing regencies. “This ratoon destruction programme is a vital part of strengthening the national sugar sector. Through crop rejuvenation, sugarcane productivity is expected to rise, thereby boosting farmer welfare. East Java is ready to be the primary driver in supporting national sugar self-sufficiency,” said Khofifah.
Nationally, the programme launched by the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture targets the development of 97,970 hectares of sugarcane by 2026. As Indonesia’s largest sugarcane producer, East Java currently contributes approximately 51 per cent of national sugar production. In 2025, East Java’s white crystal sugar production reached 1,343,995 tonnes, the highest in the last decade. Khofifah attributed this achievement to the collaborative efforts of farmers, sugar factories, the government, research institutions, and universities.
Furthermore, the Governor highlighted Kediri Regency as a region with immense potential, possessing approximately 25,000 hectares of sugarcane land supported by three sugar factories. “This is a strategic strength that we must continue to promote so that Kediri becomes a centre for national sugar industry growth,” she said. The East Java Provincial Government will continue to provide support through various programmes, including agricultural machinery assistance, irrigation strengthening, and climate change mitigation.
Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Sinergi Gula Nusantara (SGN), Mahmudi, asserted that national sugar self-sufficiency could be achieved by the end of this year, supported by abundant productivity, increased sugar output, and factory innovation. He noted that sugarcane productivity in East Java has increased by 1.5 million tonnes compared to the previous year. The Acting General Manager of Ngadirejo Sugar Factory, Faiz Humami, stated that the factory plans to mill 11 million quintals of sugarcane over 200 days, aiming for a sugar output of 80,000 tonnes.