RISE AND FALL OF SUGAR INDUSTRY IN INDONESIA (2)
This is the summary of Heritage hands-on's presentation titled "Rise and Fall of Sugar Industry in Indonesia" during the First Forum of Asian Network of Industrial Heritage, Taichung, Taiwan, 31 May 2018.
More information on the event is on the posting of 24 April 2018.
More information on the event is on the posting of 24 April 2018.
INDONESIA: FROM THE
SECOND LARGEST SUGAR EXPORTER TO THE SECOND LARGEST IMPORTER IN THE WORLD?[i]
- During the colonial era, the peak triumph was achieved through farmers’ sacrifice. Sugarcane was produced in the fertile land of the farmers with a forced very low lease, forced labors and prioritized irrigation system.[ii
- High financial support for research institutions to produce super varieties.
- In the beginning of Independence, Indonesia institutions and manpower were not exclusively ready to optimally develop sugarcane industry and trade.
- There were no comprehensive policies and several of the existing ones were conflicting.
- High input costs, poor management practices, inefficient government policies and a steady stream of cheaper imports.[iii]
POLICIES OF
SUGAR INDUSTRY AND TRADE DURING THE COLONIAL ERA
1830-1870 The Cultivation System (cultuurstelsel)
(forced sugar plantations and forced labors to increase production)
1870-1900 Market Liberalization (the Cultivation System was gradually
eliminated and replaced by the Agrarian Law and the Sugar Law that provided
opportunities for private sector to invest in sugar industry and trade)
1900-1930 Development of Syndicate System (implementation of ethical politics
through migration, education and irrigation. The irrigation policy was applied
in sugar industry by eliminating forced labors in sugarcane plantation, reducing
government monopoly, regulating minimum wages and land lease).
1931-1942 Cartel (sugar production and trade
were regulated by government institutions)
POLICIES OF
SUGAR INDUSTRY AND TRADE DURING THE INDEPENDENCE
1945-1965 Nationalization of sugar industry (1945-1959) (Taking over
all foreign institutions and companies by the Indonesian Government).
Guided Economic System (1959-1965) (Regulated
sugar industry and trade by the Indonesian Government).
1966-2010 Marketing liberalization (1966-1971) (Ministry of
Agriculture was responsible for sugar production and Ministry of Trade was
responsible for sugar trading).
Stabilization (1972-1997) (Regulations to
increase sugar production and income of sugar farmers. Import of sugar was
monopolized by a government institution).
Adaptation of free trade system (1993-2001) (Implementation
of international trade agreement and import of sugar was open for private
sector).
Import control (2002-2010). (Imported sugar was
only to fulfill needs of industry sector, not for household consumption).
[i] Sri Wahyuni, Supriyati and
J.F. Sinuraya, Sugarcane Industry and Trade: Lessons Learned from the Applied
Policies during the Colonial Era up until This Period, Pusat Analisis Sosial
Ekonomi dan Kebijakan Pertanian, Bogor.
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