RI eyes sugar sufficiency with accelerated sugarcane rejuvenation push
The entire Ministry of Agriculture will work … the two-year target of sugar self-sufficiency is metJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman highlighted his ministry’s readiness to fast-track the national sugarcane rejuvenation programmer in achieving sugar self-sufficiency within two years, aligning with the target set by President Prabowo Subianto.
“The entire Ministry of Agriculture will work at full capacity alongside regional governments, state-owned enterprises, the private sector, and farmers to ensure the two-year target of sugar self-sufficiency is met,” he said in a confirmed statement on Sunday (July 19).
Sulaiman explained the sugarcane rejuvenation programme will be implemented through modernised cultivation practices, productivity boosts, the use of high-quality seeds, agricultural mechanisation, and stronger partnerships between farmers and the sugar industry.
The acceleration, he added, is a strategic measure to boost sugar production, reduce dependence on imports, and improve farmers’ welfare.
Sulaiman reaffirmed the Ministry of Agriculture will continuously oversee the accelerated sugarcane rejuvenation programme as part of broader efforts to achieve sugar self-sufficiency, bolster national food security, and boost both value addition and the welfare of sugarcane farmers across Indonesia.
Related news: Prabowo targets full sugar self-sufficiency with two-year overhaul
Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto set a target for Indonesia to achieve sugar self-sufficiency within two years, faster than the initial projection of four years, as the government fast-tracks measures to strengthen national food security.
It was highlighted by the President during a harvest event in Malang District, East Java, on Friday (July 17).
President Subianto revealed that Minister Sulaiman had previously reported a sugarcane rejuvenation programme covering 100,000 hectares annually, which was initially projected to help the country achieve sugar self-sufficiency within four years.
However, following further discussions, Sulaiman said the target could be accelerated into just two years.
President Subianto then underscored that sugar self-sufficiency is part of the government’s major push to strengthen national independence.
Beyond achieving food self-sufficiency, the government is also making steady progress toward securing energy self-sufficiency and reinforcing water security.
Related news: Prabowo reviews sugar-to-bioethanol project to boost energy security
Related news: Indonesia taps village cooperatives to boost sugar industry growth
Related news: Sugar palm has potential as national bioethanol source: BRIN
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji