Yogyakarta, 2 July 2024 The Faculty of Agriculture at UGM held a focus group discussion (FGD) with the theme “People’s Sugarcane Governance as an Effort to Strengthen the Supply of Raw Materials Towards National Sugar Self-Sufficiency in 2028.” This event will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Prof. Auditorium. Hardjono Danoesastro, Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University.
This FGD presented several resource persons, including two experts from the Department of Agricultural Socioeconomics at UGM. Prof. Dr. Irham, M.Sc., expert from the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program, delivered material about the institutions of smallholder sugar cane farmers. Meanwhile, Prof. Subejo, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., an expert from the Agricultural Extension and Communication Study Program, acted as moderator.
The aim of this FGD is to obtain aspirations and concrete proposals to overcome the problems and obstacles faced in the supply chain for people’s sugarcane raw materials. This is expected to contribute to achieving national sugar self-sufficiency in 2028. This is expected to contribute to achieving national sugar self-sufficiency in 2028, especially by supporting SDG Goal 2 (No Hunger).
This FGD is the result of collaboration between PT. Nusantara Sugar Synergy (SGN), PT. LPP Agro Nusantara, UGM Faculty of Agriculture, and PT Perkebunan Nusantara (III) Holding. This event was attended by representatives from various related agencies, including the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of BUMN, PT Perkebunan Nusantara (III) Holding, PT Sinergi Gula Nusantara, banking, the People’s Sugar Cane Farmers Association, representatives of sugar factories, and academics.
In his speech, the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Ir. Jaka Widada, M.P., Ph.D., said that this FGD was an important step to increase synergy between various parties in order to realize national sugar self-sufficiency. “Through this FGD, we hope to produce a concrete formulation that can be followed up by all relevant parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Main Director of PT. Nusantara Sugar Synergy stated SGN’s commitment to support the national sugar self-sufficiency program. “SGN is ready to work together with all parties to increase the productivity and efficiency of people’s sugar cane,” he said.
It is hoped that this FGD can produce a formulation that can be followed up by all relevant parties to strengthen people’s sugar cane governance, realize national sugar self-sufficiency in 2028, and contribute to achieving Goal 2 of the SDGs, Zero Hunger.