Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani checks the sugar production process at the Glenmore Sugar Industry factory (IGG) owned by PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) XII to support the stretch of economic recovery.
Ipuk hopes that the factory's capacity will continue to be increased by strengthening the supply of people-based sugarcane raw materials and empowering farmers.
“The sugar factory in Glenmore is one of the most modern in Indonesia. The grind capacity 6.000 tons of sugarcane per day (TCD), in the future hopefully it can go up, it could be 8.000 TCD, with the addition of the supply of people's sugarcane,” said Ipuk after visiting IGG last weekend.
"Of course the supply of sugarcane can also be increased from PTPN's idle lands to be used as sugarcane plantations, so that quite a lot of PTPN idle land in Banyuwangi can provide added economic value,” added the female regent.
This year, Glenmore Sugar Industry PT (PT IGG) target milled sugarcane as much 715.000 ton, with production targets 61.000 tons of sugar or equivalent 2 percent of sugar demand in Indonesia. The target is up 37 percent compared to actual 2020. IGG itself started milling sugarcane this year last week.
Ipuk hopes that this year's milling season can run optimally, so that it can drive the community's economy. The stretching of various business sectors in Banyuwangi will automatically spur economic recovery.
"From PTPN exposure, this year milling is planned to take place 125 day. I want optimization, truly 125 day, in order to help restore the people's economy. Manage sugarcane supply management properly, because usually milling stops because the supply of sugar cane stops," said Ipuk.
Ipuk also hopes that there will be an increase in yield (sugar content in sugar cane) so that sugar production from Banyuwangi can continue to increase.
"If the cultivation is done well, including assistance to farmers, then the factory is transparent and modern, God willing, the yield can go up.
Hopefully this year (yield) Can 8,5 percent, or maybe 9 percent, although not yet able to like the foreign sugar factory above 10 percent," he explained.
Not only that, Ipuk hopes that PTPN will continue to innovate to provide added economic value from the existing sugar mills.
“Sugar cane has many by-products that can be utilized, don't waste it. I heard that IGG has been able to produce electricity from sugarcane bagasse.
keep improving. Build a bioethanol factory that will be integrated in the future," he said. Although it continues to spur economic recovery, Ipuk reminded to implement work safety and health protocols with strict standards to minimize the spread of Covid-19.
"We are recovering the economy but still maintaining strict health protocols. Balanced gas and brakes. IGG's management should not only control the employee's prokes, but also continue to remind and assist its stakeholders for the implementation of the health program, namely farmers, supplier, sugar cane transporters, etc," concluded Ipuk.
