JAKARTA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is aiming to raise its sugar production to 3 million tonnes this year as the government steps up efforts to achieve sugar self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imports, the Ministry of Agriculture has said.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said on Tuesday that the target will mark an increase from the current output of around 2.68 million tonnes, reflecting the government's push to strengthen domestic supply and improve the productivity of sugarcane plantations.
To support the target, the ministry plans to expand and optimize sugarcane plantations nationwide, including the development of up to 100,000 hectares of sugarcane fields to increase raw material supply for sugar mills.
Sulaiman said the program will involve cooperation among the central and regional governments, state-owned enterprises, and farmers to accelerate planting and improve productivity, as Indonesia seeks to strengthen food security and gradually reduce its dependence on sugar imports. ■
