Sulaiman, during a meeting with state-run plantation company PTPN in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday, emphasized the importance of simplifying regulations that are no longer relevant and hinder the work of farmers and state-owned companies.
Deregulation is deemed necessary because inflexible regulations can impede technical decision-making that can boost productivity.
The minister further said that one of the root problems is the condition of sugarcane fields—86 percent of them are damaged or not optimal. He, therefore, stressed the importance of thorough land improvement.
He also highlighted the intensification strategy, which involves irrigation improvement, the use of superior seeds, and more optimal land cultivation. In addition, the government will accelerate land extensification.
"We will expand the planting area by at least 200 thousand hectares so that PTPN can achieve it (the goal) in three years," he said.
Sulaiman informed that President Prabowo Subianto has approved a budget of around Rp30 trillion (approximately US$1.84 billion) to Rp40 trillion (approximately US$2.45 billion) to support the sugar self-sufficiency initiative.
The funds will be used for the provision of fertilizer subsidies and the procurement of superior seeds and other production facilities.
Related news: Indonesia aims for sugar self-sufficiency in three years
During the meeting on Wednesday, he also underscored the need to reform the agricultural credit system, suggesting the ceiling on loans, such as low-interest rate People's Business Credit (KUR), be kept at Rp50 million (approximately US$3,072) per hectare.
He affirmed that his ministry and PTPN will send official letters to ministries and agencies to propose deregulation.
"This is a form of our commitment to not wasting time. Sugar self-sufficiency is no longer a dream, but the state's concrete agenda," he said.
Related news: Indonesia eyes energy self-sufficiency through sugar palm bioethanol
Translator: Willi Irawan, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
