Following the inauguration of the Government Infrastructure and Facilities Center in South Papua Province, Vice President K.H. Ma'ruf Amin's visit to the Sermayam Sugar Cane Plantation Area underscored his commitment to bolstering Indonesia's domestic sugar production. He emphasized the critical need to reduce the country's reliance on sugar imports, which reached approximately 6 million tons in 2023 alone. With Indonesia's population projected to grow to 300 million by 2045, the Vice President stressed the urgency of developing Merauke into a prominent hub for agriculture and plantations, focusing particularly on sugar cane cultivation. His aspiration for Merauke to achieve a sugar yield (rendement) exceeding 11% aligns with successful practices observed in Australia, where similar climatic conditions have led to high productivity levels in sugar cane production.
Managed by PT Global Papua Abadi (GPA), the initiative includes plans to build a sugar and bioethanol plant in Merauke, targeting an annual production capacity of 2.6 million tons of sugar and 244 million liters of bioethanol. Looking ahead, South Papua aims to diversify its economy by becoming a center for agriculture, plantations, marine resources, and tourism between 2025 and 2029. This ambitious development plan not only aims to enhance economic growth but also seeks to create substantial employment opportunities and stimulate local economies. Importing superior sugar cane seedlings from regions like Java Timur and Australia underscores the project's commitment to harnessing optimal agricultural practices suited to Merauke's unique environmental conditions, thus ensuring sustainable and efficient production practices in the long run.
