However, with the area under plantations reaching twice as much as before, the current sugar production has not reached 3 million tons. Indonesia, which used to export 2 million tons of sugar, currently imports 2 million tons of sugarBatang, C Java (ANTARA) - State-owned plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) III said it is aiming to ensure Indonesia achieves self-reliance in sugar production by 2025, in accordance with President Joko Widodo’s long-term program.
To achieve self-reliance in sugar production, PTPN III will make every effort to improve national sugar mills, expand sugarcane plantations, and collaborate with regional governments and the public, PTPN III President Director Abdul Ghani said in Batang, Central Java, on Thursday.
Indonesia used to export 2 million tons of sugar in 1930 when its sugar production stood at 3 million tons, he pointed out.
“However, with the area under plantations reaching twice as much as before, the current sugar production has not reached 3 million tons. Indonesia, which used to export 2 million tons of sugar, currently imports 2 million tons of sugar,” he highlighted.
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He said PTPN III held internal discussions with the state-owned enterprises minister on helping the nation achieve self-reliance in sugar production by 2025.
“Based on the state-owned enterprises minister’s directives, we then conceived a sugar transformation program,” he added.
Former Pekalongan residency, which initially had 19 sugar mills, now only has one left, PG Sragi, he noted.
“That is what we will improve. Although we will unlikely build 19 sugar mills, two or three sugar mills will be enough to make Central Java’s northern coastal area part of the region to achieve self-reliance in sugar production,” he informed.
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Translator: Kutnadi, Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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