Indonesia, Aug. 27 -- Indonesia's Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman expressed optimism that Indonesia's sugar output will reach 3 million metric tons in 2026, allowing the country to fully meet domestic white sugar demand without relying on imports.

"Our goal for national sugar production is to end white sugar imports. That is our target for this year," Sulaiman said in Bandarlampung, Lampung, on Thursday.

He outlined several measures the government is taking to boost national sugarcane and sugar production, including optimising smallholder sugarcane plantations which have been underutilised.

According to him, roughly 86 percent of smallholder sugarcane land is currently in poor condition and requires rehabilitation to raise ...