"I believe that if we look at the enthusiasm of sugarcane farmers, we will have a surplus (of sugar). Now, all abandoned land is planted with sugarcane until the price of land, like in Malang, has gone up," he added during a coordination meeting on food in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday.
The government has decided not to import consumption sugar this year, with the expectation that domestic needs will be met through local production.
Since the government has decided to stop sugar imports, he said, local farmers have become more enthusiastic about producing the commodity.
Hasan said that while he was visiting Lumajang and Malang—two regencies in East Java—he saw that many lands that were previously lying idle had become productive, especially for growing sugarcane.
East Java is the nation's largest sugar producer and accounted for 52 percent of the national production in 2024.
The government will also help boost the production of sugar by developing new seeds, carrying out plantation management, and collaborating with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Related news: Indonesia expects higher sugar production, no imports in 2025
Related news: No rice, salt, sugar, and corn imports in 2025: President
Translator: Astrid Faidlatul Habibah, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
