The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya (FP UB) held a Sugar Industry Development Collaboration workshop to formulate a work plan for collaboration in a more efficient and sustainable sugarcane and sugar productivity development program. The workshop, which was held on (11/14/2024), was also an event to identify problems faced in sugarcane cultivation, both from the technical and socio-economic aspects of farmers.
“One of the main focuses is the development of healthy sugar and diversification of environmentally friendly and more value-added sugar products,” said the Team Leader, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sudiarso, M.S.
To support this achievement, close cooperation is needed between the government, farmers, the private sector, and universities. One of the concrete steps taken by the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, which initiated the Sugar Study Group. This group collaborates with various parties, including sugar mills and related agencies.
The workshop was opened by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Afifuddin Latif Adiredjo, S.P., M.Sc., and also attended by the Head of the Department of Agricultural Cultivation, Dr. agr. Nunun Barunawati, S.P., M.P., and a team from the Sugar Study Group. In addition, this activity was also attended by the Head of the East Java Provincial Plantation Service, the Food Crops, Horticulture and Plantation Service of Malang Regency, and sugar industry partners, such as PT. PG Rajawali I, PT. PG Rajawali II, PG Kebon Agung, PT. Rejoso Manis Indo (PT. RMI), and PT. Kebun Tebu Mas (PT. KTM)
“One of the main targets of this workshop is to reach an agreement in the form of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between the parties involved. Through this PKS, it is hoped that the sugar development program can be implemented concretely, with a clear budget allocation and a structured division of responsibilities,” said Prof. Sudiarso.
The Sugar Study Group of the Faculty of Agriculture UB also focuses on technological innovation to increase the competitiveness of the Indonesian sugar industry. Some technologies that are being developed include Precision Agriculture, Geospatial Information System (GIS), and Smart Farming System based on Information Technology. These technologies are expected to increase efficiency in sugarcane cultivation and sugar production, as well as support the sustainability of the sugar industry in the future.
The Indonesian government is increasingly serious about realizing national sugar self-sufficiency. This can be seen from the issuance of Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 40 of 2023 concerning the Acceleration of National Sugar Self-sufficiency and Provision of Bioethanol as Biofuel. This Perpres is the basis for the government’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in consuming sugar by 2028 and self-sufficiency in the sugar industry by 2030, with the aim of strengthening national food and energy security.
The workshop organized by UB Faculty of Agriculture also aims to formulate a strategy for developing the sugar industry in Indonesia. (ZMA/UB PR/ Trans. Iir).
