The rustling sound of sugarcane leaves was like a death knell. Millions of sugarcane growers in Java are on the verge of financial ruin. Instead of the profits that were usually associated with fertile fields, losses are now looming large. On every hectare of sugarcane fields, they stand to lose Rp7 million. "To survive," said Syaifuddin, chairman of the Klaten Sugarcane Growers Association, "we must pawn our remaining belongings."

The despera