Sugarcane Production Increases, Minister of Agriculture Targets Self-sufficiency in White Sugar Next Year

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman targets Indonesia to be able to achieve self-sufficiency in white crystalline sugar (GKP) next year.

This target is in line with the trend of increasing national sugarcane production which is considered to have a direct impact on the increase in sugar production.

Amran dismissed the notion that the increase in sugarcane production was not automatically followed by an increase in sugar production.

According to him, logically and experientially, the two things cannot be separated.

"If the production of sugar cane increases, it will automatically increase sugar production. Now what is the rendering? If 7 is good," he said when met by reporters at the Coordinating Ministry for Food and Agriculture Office, Jakarta, Monday, December 29.

With this condition, Amran is optimistic that self-sufficiency in white crystalline sugar can be achieved by 2026.

Meanwhile, for the needs of industrial sugar, he targets independence in about three years.

"So, next year hopefully we can be self-sufficient in white sugar (consumption). Then the industry hopefully three years. We work hard," he said.

When asked about the import of white crystalline sugar that is still being carried out by SOEs this year, Amran stated that the government would work hard so that imports would no longer be needed next year.

"We are trying hard," he said briefly.

One of the main steps towards self-sufficiency in white sugar is the rejuvenation of ratun sugar cane plants which are considered unproductive. Amran said that about 86 percent of ratun plants need to be dismantled and replaced gradually.

"The steps are first, this ratun is 86 percent, it must be dismantled. Now we will dismantle it in three consecutive years, 2025, 2026, 2027," he explained.

Amran said that the current national sugar cane area is around 500,000 hectares. Of this amount, the government targets the demolition and rejuvenation of more than 300,000 hectares.

"That's about 300 thousand hectares. If that comes true, God willing, white sugar is self-sufficient," said Amran.