Surabaya, E. Java (Antara): Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, has expressed optimism that local sugarcane farmers will meet the national sugar consumption needs, estimated to be around 3 million tons this year, reported Antara News.
Speaking at a coordination meeting on food in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday, he said “The enthusiasm of sugarcane farmers indicates that we will have a surplus of sugar. Now, sugarcane is planted on all abandoned land, and even the price of land, like in Malang, has increased,”.
The government has decided not to import sugar for consumption this year, expecting domestic production to fulfil the demand.
Hasan noted that since the government stopped sugar imports, local farmers have shown greater interest in growing sugarcane.
While visiting Lumajang and Malang—two regencies in East Java—Hasan observed that previously idle lands had become productive, especially for sugarcane cultivation.
East Java, which produced 52 per cent of the nation’s sugar in 2024, remains the largest sugar-producing region in the country.
To further support sugar production, the government plans to introduce new seeds, improve plantation management, and collaborate with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
