Slashing Forests for Sugarcane
State-owned forestry and plantation firms Perhutani and PTPN are converting forests and unproductive rubber plots into sugarcane plantations. Large-scale land clearing is needed to reach sugar self-sufficiency.
Khairul Anam
October 24, 2022
HAVING managed forest products for decades, state-owned forestry firm Perusahaan Umum Kehutanan Negara or Perum Perhutani has only recently turned to sugarcane. Sugarcane’s planting to harvesting only takes between nine months to a year, much shorter than teak wood that needs 40 years to harvest. This is why Perhutani is involved in the sugar self-sufficiency program by providing forest plots for sugarcane farmers.
“Because of
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