President Prabowo Reviews PTPN I Bioethanol Downstreaming in Malang

President Prabowo Subianto reviewed the downstreaming of sugarcane into bioethanol undertaken by PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) I (Persero) during the TNI Grand Harvest event supporting the National Food Security Programme at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base in Malang Regency, East Java, on Friday (17/7). The President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, as well as several ministers, heads of agencies, regional leaders, and directors of state-owned enterprises. While inspecting the PTPN I stand, the President received an explanation regarding the development of bioethanol derived from sugarcane molasses produced by PT Energi Agro Nusantara (Enero), a subsidiary of PTPN I. PTPN I President Director Abdul Rivai Ras stated that the company continues to develop sugarcane downstreaming as part of efforts to support energy security and increase the added value of plantation commodities. ‘Through PT Energi Agro Nusantara (Enero), we process sugarcane molasses into bioethanol with a production capacity of 100 kilolitres per day. This bioethanol is utilised as fuel-grade ethanol for fuel blending, including Pertamax Green 95. In addition, we also produce extra neutral alcohol for cosmetic and pharmaceutical needs, methylated spirits, and biofertiliser,’ said Rivai. According to him, bioethanol development is one of PTPN I’s strategies to strengthen renewable energy while supporting the downstreaming programme initiated by the government. In his remarks, President Prabowo emphasised that food security is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration from all elements of the nation, from the government, TNI, and Polri to state-owned enterprises, the business community, and the public. ‘This activity demonstrates that food security is not solely the concern of the Ministry of Agriculture, but a national movement involving all the nation’s strengths. I call on all the nation’s forces to unite for our country and our people,’ Prabowo said. Meanwhile, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto stated that the TNI Grand Harvest is evidence of cross-sector synergy in supporting the National Food Security Programme. ‘This achievement is the result of synergy between the TNI, the government, state-owned enterprises, the business community, academics, and the public. We seek the President’s guidance so that all our programmes remain aligned with government policy and provide maximum benefit for the Indonesian people,’ Agus said. He added that sugarcane downstreaming not only produces bioethanol as a biofuel but also various value-added products such as molasses, industrial and pharmaceutical raw materials, organic fertiliser, and other derivative products that contribute to the national economy. Through this bioethanol development, PTPN I reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national food and energy security while strengthening downstreaming in the plantation sector through innovation and the utilisation of renewable energy.