In Indonesia, Indonesia Business Post reported that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the development of oil palm plantations in Papua to accelerate the production of biofuel-based energy, particularly biodiesel, and the expansion of sugarcane and cassava cultivation as feedstock for ethanol production.
The initiative is expected to serve as a catalyst for achieving national energy self-sufficiency within the next five years. Prabowo said Papua should play a key role in supporting bioenergy development, according to the report.
“We hope that in Papua, oil palm will be planted so it can produce fuel from palm oil, as well as sugarcane and cassava to produce ethanol,” he said.
According to Prabowo, the strategy of developing oil palm, sugarcane, and cassava in Papua could significantly reduce the state budget burden from fuel subsidies and energy imports. Indonesia’s annual energy import bill is currently estimated at around $31 billion.
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Category: Food & Agriculture
