Indonesia plans to use corn for large-scale bioethanol production

Indonesia is preparing to develop regional bioethanol production hubs using sugarcane, cassava and corn as feedstocks. The programme is aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security and increasing the role of agriculture in the energy transition.

The Agriculture Ministry is working with administrations in 44 districts to identify potential production areas and determine the most suitable crops. The government plans to establish integrated production hubs combining feedstock cultivation with bioethanol processing.

Authorities are preparing up to 2 mln hectares of land across different regions to support the industry. The areas are expected to create a dedicated feedstock base for bioethanol plants and ensure stable supplies of sugarcane, cassava and corn.

The government says expanding production of these crops will be critical to the programme. For corn, this could create an additional source of domestic demand alongside feed and food use.

The programme is part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on imported energy and develop its domestic biofuel industry. Specific bioethanol production targets and the share of each crop in the feedstock mix have not yet been announced.

Tags: corn, Indonesia, biofuel, bioethanol