President Prabowo Targets Sugar Self-Sufficiency Within Two Years, Agriculture Ministry Prepares Acceleration Steps

President Prabowo Subianto has set an ambitious target for Indonesia to achieve sugar self-sufficiency within two years, accelerating the initial four-year projection. The announcement was made during a mass harvest event in Malang, East Java, which was part of a programme involving the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to support national food security. Prabowo revealed that Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman had initially reported that a national sugarcane replanting programme covering 100,000 hectares per year would achieve self-sufficiency in four years. However, after further discussion, the minister committed to a faster timeline. “Our target for food self-sufficiency has been achieved. Now we are moving towards energy self-sufficiency, and water self-sufficiency is being pioneered so that all our people have access to clean water and water for crops,” Prabowo stated. The President praised the agile and tireless work of all government elements, including the TNI, the National Police, ministries, and local governments, in pursuing national strategic programmes. He emphasised that this hard work aims to accelerate public welfare and prove that Indonesia can stand on its own strength. Responding to the directive, Minister Amran confirmed the ministry’s readiness to accelerate the national sugarcane replanting programme through cultivation modernisation, increased productivity, the use of superior seeds, agricultural mechanisation, and strengthened partnerships with farmers and the sugar industry. He stated that the acceleration is a strategic step to boost national sugar production, reduce import dependency, and improve the welfare of sugarcane farmers.