Commission IV of the DPR Supports Sugar Self-sufficiency: Central Java Has Great Potential

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV of the DPR, Hindun Anisah, supports the government's policy of targeting self-sufficiency in consumption sugar in 2026 and stopping the import of white sugar starting early next year. He assessed that Central Java has great potential in supporting the national sugar consumption needs.

"Indonesia has the ability and capacity in the management of consumer sugar. If managed seriously and sustainably, self-sufficiency in consumer sugar is not impossible. This is an important part of efforts to achieve national food security," Hindun told reporters, Wednesday, December 24.

The PKB politician appreciated the Ministry of Agriculture's (Kementan) step in accelerating the development of sugar cane by making East Java the main support for national sugar production.

"More than 50 percent of the national sugar cane plantations are in East Java, so the achievement of self-sufficiency is very determined by the success in that region," said Hindun.

However, Hindun assessed that Central Java also has great potential to contribute to the target of self-sufficiency in sugar consumption. According to him, a number of sugar factories and sugar cane centers in Central Java show a trend of increasing production.

He also gave an example of the Rendeng Sugar Factory in his electoral district which targets the production of 20 thousand tons of sugar in the 2025 milling period with a milling period of 140 days. Hindun said that the target increased by about 20 percent compared to the previous year which reached around 10 thousand tons.

"The increase in production targets at PG Rendeng is influenced by the expansion of planting areas, improvements in cultivation techniques, and central government support. This proves that the area is ready to support the national sugar self-sufficiency target," said the legislator from Dapil Central Java II.

Hindun reminded the government to be consistent with its commitment, especially in closing the tap of imported consumption sugar. He emphasized that self-sufficiency policy should not only be a target on paper.

"The government must ensure that imports are really stopped. If in 2026 there is still an import of consumer sugar, there must be firm sanctions. This is important to maintain the trust of farmers and protect domestic production," he said.

Hindun added that the success of self-sufficiency in consumption sugar would have a significant impact on the economy of sugarcane farmers. Without imports, he said, farmers' production could be optimally absorbed, prices more stable, and farmers' welfare increased.

"Farmers must be the main actors who feel the benefits of self-sufficiency. They are the spearhead of national food security," concluded Hindun.

It is known that based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture, national sugar production currently reaches 2.68 million tons. Meanwhile, the government targets that national sugar production in 2026 can reach 3 million tons so that domestic consumption sugar needs can be met without imports.