PTPN I Trials Sorghum Planting on 20 Hectares to Support Bioethanol

PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) I has begun developing sorghum as a commodity through a trial planting of 20 hectares in Lampung to support the supply of raw materials for bioethanol. PTPN I Corporate Secretary Aris Handoyo said the sorghum development is part of a mandate received by the company to support the government’s downstream processing and energy transition agenda. “For now, we are trying to develop 20 hectares in Lampung. We are trying to learn the cultivation techniques, because PTPN I has never planted sorghum before,” he said during a media discussion in Jakarta on Monday evening. Besides sorghum, PTPN I has also been tasked with developing cassava as an alternative raw material source that can be utilised to support the national bioethanol industry. Aris explained that Lampung was chosen as the initial development location because it has suitable land potential and is close to the planned bioethanol supply chain development. The initial phase is being carried out through experimental planting on 20 hectares to obtain the necessary technical data before entering a broader development phase. Through this trial, the company will evaluate which sorghum varieties are most suitable for the land conditions and the needs of the bioethanol processing industry. PTPN I will also study cultivation techniques, plant productivity, maintenance patterns, and post-harvest systems to ensure development is carried out efficiently and sustainably. Aris assessed that a gradual approach is necessary so the company does not face the risk of production failure, which could hamper the government programme or cause losses to the company. If the trial results show good performance, the company will consider broader scale development according to the needs of the national programme. Sorghum and cassava are projected to become bioethanol raw materials that can be used as a petrol fuel blend in the renewable energy programme. Thus, the bioethanol supply will not only depend on sugarcane but can also be supported by alternative commodities developed in various regions. In this programme, PTPN I acts as the raw material supplier, while the development of the processing industry is carried out through collaboration between the government and the industrial sector. In the long term, sorghum development is directed at supporting the target conveyed by the government, namely expanding the area to around 24,000 hectares if the initial phase is successful. “The Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, Todotua Pasaribu, has a target of up to 24,000 hectares. That is not a small matter. It means PTPN must equip itself first,” he said. PTPN I considers the target quite ambitious, so the company needs to equip itself with experience, technology, and resource readiness before accelerating development in line with the government’s direction. “PTPN needs to learn. But later, once PTPN has mastered this commodity, we can perhaps accelerate its development, in accordance with the government’s target,” said Aris.