President Prabowo Reviews Sugarcane Downstreaming into Bioethanol in Malang

President Prabowo Subianto reviewed the utilisation of sugarcane from upstream to downstream, including its processing into bioethanol, during a harvest event at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base (Lanud) in Malang, East Java, on Friday. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated in Jakarta that the air force base serves as a model for an integrated sugarcane ecosystem. The sugarcane processed into bioethanol is cultivated on land managed by the Indonesian Air Force, including areas within the base, with processing carried out by PT Sinergi Gula Nusantara (SGN) and Pertamina NRE. “Lanud Abdulrachman Saleh in Malang is an example of an integrated sugarcane ecosystem from upstream to downstream. In addition to producing sugar, the cane is processed into bioethanol, environmentally friendly fuel, organic fertiliser, and various value-added industrial products that support energy security and strengthen national industry,” Prasetyo said. The President also viewed downstream sugarcane products, including sugar and bioethanol, displayed at the event. Prasetyo noted that from January to June 2026, assistance from the Indonesian Army covered 6.26 million hectares of rice fields, yielding approximately 19.2 million tonnes of rice, supporting 55.24% of the national rice production target for 2026. In the soybean sector, the Indonesian Navy assisted 2,432 hectares of land with a potential yield of 3,676 tonnes. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Air Force assisted 236,048 hectares of sugarcane land with a potential production of 18.386 million tonnes, equivalent to roughly 1.36 million tonnes of sugar, representing 45.05% of the national sugar production target for 2026. “This collaboration is expected to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen downstream processing, create jobs, and improve public welfare,” he said. During the working visit, the President was accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Indonesian Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto, and the service chiefs of staff.