RI optimistic 3 million metric tons sugar output in 2026

“Our goal for national sugar production is to end white sugar imports. That is our target for this year,” Sulaiman said in Bandarlampung, Lampung, on Thursday.

He outlined several measures the government is taking to boost national sugarcane and sugar production, including optimising smallholder sugarcane plantations which have been underutilised.

According to him, roughly 86 percent of smallholder sugarcane land is currently in poor condition and requires rehabilitation to raise productivity.

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“The strategy is to rehabilitate these smallholder plots, which make up 86 percent of the total area,” he explained.

He added that President Prabowo Subianto instructed his ministry to revitalise neglected smallholder sugarcane land.

In supporting the initiative, the government has allocated Rp1.7 trillion (around US$95.9 million) for the clearing and replanting of the plots across the country. In achieving the target, the government is also encouraging all sugar companies to boost their production.

Meanwhile, Acting Director General of Plantations at the Ministry, Heru Tri Widarto, said the sugarcane plantation area in Lampung is targeted to reach 97,970 hectares by 2027. By the target in place, sugar output in the province is projected to hit 480,053 metric tons.

“The projected production target is 480,053 metric tons of sugar. For this year, we hope to reach 250,000 metric tons,” Heru said.

The government hopes by boosting land productivity and expanding sugarcane planting areas will bolster national sugar production while reducing reliance on white sugar imports.

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Translator: Agus Wira, Raka Adji