VICE PRESIDENT VISITS SERMAYAM SUGARCANE PLANTATION, SUPPORTS SOUTH PAPUA AS A SUGAR INDUSTRY HUB

Sermayam, June 4, 2024 – Following the inauguration of the South Papua Provincial Government Center for Facilities and Infrastructure Development, Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH Ma’ruf Amin, visited the Sermayam Sugarcane Plantation Area in Merauke, South Papua. During the visit, the Vice President directly reviewed the Investment Laboratory for the Sugarcane Plantation Pilot Project as well as the greenhouse facilities.

In his press statement after the visit, the Vice President expressed his support for South Papua to become a hub for the sugar industry. He noted that Indonesia’s national sugar demand is still heavily reliant on imports, which continue to increase annually.

“Imports continue to rise every year, reaching approximately 6 million tons in 2023. By 2045, our population is projected to reach 300 million. This means we will rely even more on imports. Therefore, we aim to develop Merauke as a center for agriculture and plantations, including sugarcane,” the Vice President stated.

To that end, the Vice President expressed hope that the development of sugarcane plantations, particularly in Merauke, will succeed and achieve sugar yield (rendement) levels exceeding 11 percent, comparable to those in Australia.

Source: Vice Presidential Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia