Merauke, South Papua – The South Papua Provincial Government emphasized its commitment to make this area a national sugar barn through the development of sugarcane plantations and large-scale sugar factories. This ambitious target is expected to be able to produce 3.5 million tons of sugar per year, as well as support the national sugar self-sufficiency program.
The Governor of South Papua, Apolo Safanpo, explained that currently the construction of one sugar factory is underway and is targeted to start operating in 2027. The factory is projected to be one of the largest in Asia, with a production capacity five times larger than the sugar factory in Java Island.
“South Papua has a vast and fertile land potential, so it is ideal for sugarcane development. The first factory that is currently being built will be the main engine of production, and in the future four sugar factories will be built in this region,” said Governor Apolo, Friday (9/12/2025).
The development of sugarcane plantation areas in Merauke and its surroundings has been included in the list of National Strategic Projects (PSN), which means that this project has full support from the central government. With this status, development is guaranteed to run faster because of the certainty of regulatory support and funding.
In addition to supporting national sugar self-sufficiency, this project is expected to absorb thousands of local workers, open up investment opportunities, and improve the welfare of the community in South Papua. The presence of this large-scale sugar industry is also expected to trigger the growth of supporting sectors, such as transportation, logistics, and MSMEs based on sugarcane derivatives.
With a production projection of up to 3.5 million tons per year, South Papua is positioned as one of the key regions in realizing national food and energy independence. The local government is optimistic, through synergy with the central government and investors, South Papua will become the largest sugar production center in Indonesia and even Asia.
“This is not only about building a sugar factory, but also about building the future of the South Papua economy and making a real contribution to Indonesia,” said Apolo.
