Entrepreneur Suggests Enhanced Sugar Production

By Syamsuddin Hasan

Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Chairman of the Indonesian Sugar and Flour Traders Association (Apegti) for South Kalimantan H Aftahuddin asked the government to continue their effort to control sugar price.

"If domestic sugar production could be enhanced and with an affordable price level to purchasing power of the many, then we may restrict or refuse import," he said.

Regarding the demand for Indonesian Sugarcane Farmers Association (APTRI) and the Indonesian Sugar Association (AGI) to the government not to import sugar, he less agreed.

"We can not import sugar, if domestic production can meet people's needs at low prices. But as far as domestic sugar production can not meet the needs of the community, especially with the high prices, then imported is an option," he continued.

According to him , Indonesia is still possible to increase the production of sugar, with continued training and development of sugarcane farmers , as well as the milling system really well preserved.

Moreover, how crop prices should really be for the welfare of sugarcane farmers, not the middleman or bonded.

"Especially if there is a game to persons involved in domestic sugar production, the sugarcane farmers and milling businesses never b developed," he said.