Sugar palm has a production function that produces various agribusiness commodities for food and non-food products, as well as for the needs of domestic and export consumers. The results of processed sap into palm sugar (palm sugar) can be used as ingredients for healthy food and drinks. In addition, the sugar palm plant also functions as a forest and land conservation that can be used to control groundwater and prevent erosion. It is also useful for stopping sugar imports. Minister of Agriculture (Mentan), Syahrul Yasin Limpo said he would continue to encourage the development of coconut sugar and palm sugar. “Actually, don't rely too much on cane sugar. Make it an opportunity to develop coconut sugar. Our coconut trees are widely scattered," explained the Minister of Agriculture. He explained that the program for accelerating consumption of sugar self-sufficiency in 2023, among others, carried out extensification in the form of adding a new area of 50 thousand hectares, which is expected to increase consumption of sugar by 359 thousand tons of GKP. The head of the Agricultural Human Resources Extension and Development Agency (BPPSDMP), Dedi Nusyamsi, is in line with this.

The strengthening was carried out by Dedi during the Extension Chat (Ngobras) agenda volume 13 with the theme of reducing sugar imports, Tuesday (22/03/2022), at AOR BPPSDMP, Jakarta. Dedi said to switch to coconut sugar or palm sugar instead of granulated sugar because it is healthier. "Reduce sugar imports, switch to palm sugar and coconut which have tremendous potential and are also healthier," he said. Ngobras resource person Rayndra Syahda, Ambassador of Millennial Farmers, said that currently his farm uses dry feed and organic material for animal feed. In addition, the waste is managed to become fertilizer for coconut trees, bananas, papayas and animal feed. One of them is ant sugar, called ant sugar because the shape of this sugar resembles an ant's house nesting in the ground. The basic ingredient for making ant sugar is sap from coconut trees or palm trees. "It takes a high commitment so that we can continue to be istiqomah in the agricultural sector," said Rayndra. Rayndra further explained that he had used the internet of things to use applications to search for livestock genealogies, scan barcodes. "When everyone needs food, we must attend and I am sure we will be successful in the agricultural sector," said Rayndra encouraging fellow farmers who were present virtually. Another resource person, Netti Tinaprilla, Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Economics, IPB said that currently consumption and industry needs are 5.8 million tons with a production of 2.18 million tons and a deficit of 3.62 million tons. "Meanwhile, production is 2.18 million (tons) with a need of 2.8 million (tons) and a deficit of 620 thousand (tons)," said Netti. Therefore, let us reduce the use of white sugar, reduce imported sugar," he said. "Love our local products, consume local products, develop local products and do local products," concluded Netti.

Source: https://www.wartatani.co/10354/tani/tekan-impor-kementan-dorong-produksi-gula-aren-nasional/