Erick Thohir Asks PTPN To Achieve White Sugar Self-Sufficiency In 2024

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir asked PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) to be able to achieve self-sufficiency in white sugar by 2024.

"I have discussed with the Board of Directors of PTPN Holding to be able to achieve self-sufficiency in consumption of white sugar in 2024, and the management said they are ready. We believe it can happen because this potential is very large," said Erick Thohir, in Bandarlampung, Lampung, quoted from Antara, Wednesday 11 May.

He said that with this potential, PTPN had been assigned to involve sugarcane farmers to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar.

"The involvement of sugarcane farmers is an important part of realizing the government's mission to help maintain the welfare of the community," he said.

He continued that the involvement of sugarcane farmers in realizing white sugar self-sufficiency will be carried out using a partnership pattern. This pattern is the most profitable pattern for farmers.

"As a BUMN, it must work in harmony with the environment, especially for farmers. Farmers in the field must also be given advocacy so that they get added value. The point is PTPN must empower farmers in every line of business," he added.

The President Director of PTPN Holding, Muhammad Abdul Ghani said the same thing. He said he was ready to achieve national sugar self-sufficiency through the establishment of a sub-holding company PT Sinergi Gula Nusantara (SGN) which would focus on managing the sugar industry.

"PTPN Group manages more than 50 thousand hectares of sugar cane in several subsidiaries. In the 2022 milling season PTPN targets 1.1 million tons of consumption sugar production. And gradually we will continue to push so that PTPN VII's consumption sugar production is able to meet 70 percent national needs," he said again.