"The national target is 100,000 hectares, and we are developing 70,000 hectares in East Java due to its vast potential and land availability," he remarked in a meeting in Surabaya on Tuesday.
The minister stated that with about half of the country’s sugarcane plantations located in East Java, the province plays a key role in efforts to reach national sugar self-sufficiency.
East Java is considered to have extensive experience, human resources, and supporting infrastructure for the sugarcane industry, Sulaiman continued.
"If East Java succeeds, the nation will certainly succeed. God willing, next year we will not need to import white sugar," he assured.
According to him, the initial need for national sugarcane plantation development reaches approximately 35,000 hectares, while the identified land reserves in East Java reach 68,000 hectares.
He explained that the program is planned to take off in late 2025 and continue from January to March 2026, involving various sectors, including the military, the National Police, and the higher prosecutor's office, to ensure legal certainty and smooth operations.
The government has also allocated a national budget support of approximately Rp1.6 trillion (US$92 million) for sugarcane plantation development, including assistance with agricultural tools and machinery, Sulaiman pointed out.
"This assistance will include 120 to 200 tractors worth approximately Rp100 billion (US$5.7 million), prioritized for sugarcane production centers in East Java," he continued.
The minister expressed confidence that the 70,000-hectare sugarcane plantation target in East Java can be met and serve as a sustainable pillar for strengthening the national sugar industry.
In addition, the government is aiming to increase sugar production for industrial use to reduce import dependence, after sugar imports over the past two years reached almost Rp100 trillion, placing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
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Translator: Willi Irawan, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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