business

SGN Partners With MAKMUR Petrokimia To Improve The Welfare Of Sugarcane Farmers

Hariyanto, the Financial Director of PT Sinergi Gula Nusantara (SGN), a subsidiary of PTPN III (Persero) Holding Perkebunan, emphasized the commitment to achieving national sugar self-sufficiency by strengthening farmers, thus bringing about an increase in farmers' welfare. This was conveyed at the technology exhibition and ceremonial sugar cane planting and harvesting event for the Makmur program at the Mangliwetan Bondowoso sugar cane plantation on Thursday (04/07).

"This Makmur program is part of a series, showing that we must work together to achieve sugar self-sufficiency. The ecosystem is crucial because we cannot operate alone, from seeds, fertilizers, funding from banks, to sugar factories as off-takers. Most importantly, achieving sugar self-sufficiency is accompanied by strengthening farmers by helping with access to capital, seeds, and production facilities," Hariyanto continued.

One of the obstacles faced by sugar cane farmers is access to and availability of production facilities, including fertilizers needed for plant growth and increased productivity. This was conveyed by Rolis Wikarsono, Chairman of the Branch Leadership Council of the Indonesian People's Sugar Cane Farmers Association (DPC APTRI) PG Pradjekan.

"Our land, covering about 6,500 hectares in almost all of Situbondo regency, has been covered by the Makmur Program - Let's Advance People's Business Program. We are guaranteed genuine fertilizers, and the process only takes two to three days, with competitive prices," Rolis stated.

The partner farmers of PG Pradjekan were the first sugar cane farmers to access the Makmur Program three years ago. The impact of the program is now being felt by the farmers, with guaranteed fertilizer availability, increased productivity, and increased farmers' income.

"This year, the increase in productivity is extraordinary. Previously at 76, it has now become 110 tons per hectare, with increased yields and farmers' income," explained Mohammad Sholeh Kusuma, General Manager of PG Pradjekan.

The increase in productivity is considered quite significant, reaching 45% from the original 76 tons per hectare to 110 tons per hectare, with a yield increase of 9.9% from 8.14% to 8.94%, resulting in farmers' income increasing from the original Rp53.4 million per hectare to Rp69.4 million per hectare.

Meanwhile, the Finance and General Director of PT Petrokimia Gresik, Robby Setiabudi Madjid, appreciates the increase in productivity achieved by the partner sugarcane farmers of PG Pradjekan and believes that through a profit-sharing system with farmers, combined with the performance of SGN farmers, prosperity will increase.

"After discussing with our partners, it turns out that the Pradjekan sugar factory is ranked 1st in terms of yield among all SGNs. In addition, we are grateful to all the ecosystems involved in this Prosperous Program because they have also succeeded in national food security," concluded Robby.

The Technology Exhibition and Sugarcane Planting and Harvesting Ceremony aim to increase farmers' trust in utilizing the Prosperous Program ecosystem and Smart Precision Farming technology applications for sugarcane commodities. During the event, aside from the inaugural sugarcane planting procession, a fertilizer demonstration using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) was also conducted.

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Tag: MAKMUR PT Sinergi Gula Nusantara PTPN III SGN