The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) through the Directorate General of Plantations continues to make efforts and is alert in anticipation to meet the availability and demand for national sugar. In order to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar consumption in 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture is trying to encourage an increase in sugar production through extensification and intensification of sugarcane.
The development of sugar cane commodities is not easy, faced with various challenges, but that has not stopped the government's steps to find appropriate solutions to encourage and increase sugar cane and sugar production. This increase in production must be carried out to meet national needs and anticipate the possibility of a global crisis.
"In order to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar consumption in 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture is trying to encourage an increase in sugar production through extensification of the additional area of sugarcane plantations and intensification through unloading ratoons and caring for ratoons," said Andi Nur Alam Syah, Director General of Plantations (14/02).
In addition, he said, the government also continues to accelerate production through the preparation of tiered cane seeds (seed gardens) and arrangement of varieties, the application of a sugarcane purchasing system (SPT) according to the recommendations produced and the application of the PG Partnership pattern with farmers in one management, as well as the utilization of idle land. or Perhutani land through land management cooperation to reduce land rental costs.
"Hopefully the various efforts and strategic steps that we are taking can have a significant impact on increasing production so that the national demand for sugar and cane can be met," hoped Andi Nur.
On a different occasion, Ardi Praptono, Director of Seasonal Crops and Spices, Directorate General of Plantation of the Ministry of Agriculture explained, "In addition to efforts to be self-sufficient in national sugar for both consumption and industry, the Indonesian Government has also launched a Bioethanol Program from Sugarcane for energy security in November 2022," he explained. .
Furthermore, Ardi conveyed, this program is a solution to increase national bioethanol production in 2030. Sugarcane bioethanol can be used as a mixture of gasoline-type fuel oil.
"This has great potential. The energy produced from 1 ton of sugarcane is equivalent to 1.2 barrels of crude oil. It is hoped that sugarcane bioethanol can strengthen Indonesia's energy security, as well as increase the motivation of farmers and sugar factories so that they can increase the quantity and quality of sugarcane produced," he hoped.
It is known that East Java Province is listed as the province with the highest national sugar and cane production. This increase in production could be an opportunity for Indonesia to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar.
"It is hoped that farmers can collaborate with research centers and related parties to produce quality sugarcane seeds with good yield levels and of course in accordance with applicable regulations. The yield will be good if it comes from seeds that are of good quality, supported by the unloading of ratoons that are measured accordingly," he hoped.
According to him, people's sugarcane farmers can open businesses in the field of sugar raw materials. For this reason, it is necessary to improve coordination and synchronization as well as the use of digitalization in sugar cane development, both from farmers and other related parties.
"Of course the expected results with this policy to increase national sugar production, one of which can help reduce dependence on imported sugar so that in the future it can minimize sugar imports and meet the need for national sugar consumption in achieving national sugar self-sufficiency," he explained.
Furthermore, Ardi explained, "In addition to the positive impacts felt, the increasing interest of sugarcane farmers in the supply of good and quality sugar raw materials and increasing the welfare of sugarcane farmers.
"Another benefit from this policy is the increased competitiveness of the sugar cane-based industry in Indonesia, which is getting better in terms of investment, supply of sugarcane raw materials and the quality of the sugar produced," he said.
One of them is proven by the success of sugar cane farmers from Central Java, who appreciate the government's assistance, especially the Ministry of Agriculture, through the sugar cane expansion program in order to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar. It is felt that this extensification activity has made the economy move where many community members, especially planting and logging workers are empowered so as to increase farmers' income.
Source:
https://www.pertanian.go.id/home/?show=news&act=view&id=5271#
