business

PTPN Group Collaborates To Implement Three Food Security Programs To Achieve Food Self-sufficiency

PT Perkebunan Nusantara Group is enhancing its role in supporting food self-sufficiency in line with President Prabowo Subianto's vision. This effort includes various strategic programs that have a broad and sustainable impact.

One key initiative is the PT Perkebunan Nusantara Rice Planting Program (TAMPAN), which uses intercropping of upland rice in areas being rejuvenated for palm oil. "With a target area of 206 thousand hectares over the next five years, this program could produce half a million tons of rice," said Mohammad Abdul Ghani, the CEO of Holding Perkebunan Nusantara PTPN III (Persero), in Jakarta.

The upland rice varieties used, such as Situ Bagendit, have shown high productivity, yielding up to 5.5 tons per hectare in paddy fields and 4.0 tons per hectare in dry land. This not only meets national food needs but also provides additional income for palm oil farmers.

The rice planting program is a collaboration between the PTPN Group and the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Coordinating Ministry for Food.

Research indicates that intercropping upland rice in palm oil rejuvenation areas could support rice self-sufficiency, potentially adding 1.1 million tons of rice nationally through a target of 400,000 hectares of rejuvenation each year.

In the sugar industry, PTPN, through PT Sinergi Gula Nusantara (SGN), has also launched the "Sweet Program" aimed at achieving sugar self-sufficiency in Indonesia. This initiative seeks to strengthen the national sugar industry ecosystem by involving collaboration among farmers, government agencies, banks, and other state-owned enterprises like PT Pupuk Indonesia and Himbara (BRI, Mandiri, and BNI).

This program not only recruits young sugarcane agripreneurs but also establishes "Saung Manis" in various regions, including Mojokerto, Kediri, Lumajang, Ngawi, Pekalongan, and Bone. Saung Manis serves as a discussion space for farmers and a platform for agricultural extension, technical training, and access to funding from banks.

Selected agripreneurs will manage mini sugarcane estates ranging from 50 to 100 hectares, providing them with hands-on experience while empowering local potential. "This program aims to create synergy between increasing sugarcane production and the strategic role of youth in modern agriculture," said Ghani.

PTPN also runs the Makmur program, which offers an integrated ecosystem for seed supply, fertilizers, and market guarantees for farmers. This program has been applied to various commodities, including sugarcane, with significant results. For instance, in the Mangliwetan Bondowoso sugarcane plantation, productivity rose by 45%, from 76 tons per hectare to 110 tons per hectare. "This program not only boosts harvest yields but also increases farmers' income, with sugarcane extraction rates rising from 8.14% to 8.94%," added Ghani.

Partnerships in dairy farming are also a crucial step in national food diversification. PTPN utilizes its assets to support domestic milk production through modern dairy farming. This program is planned to be collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture, particularly the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health.

This initiative not only meets the demand for animal protein but also creates a more efficient local supply chain, reducing reliance on imports and supporting community nutritional balance.

The impact of various initiatives by PTPN Group is extensive, enhancing food productivity, strengthening farmers' welfare, and supporting national food security.

---

Tag: PTPN Group Saung Manis