Aren Planting is President Prabowo’s Initial Step to Realizing Energy Self-Sufficiency
Jakarta,- President Prabowo Subianto’s government has begun to take real steps towards national energy self-sufficiency by encouraging massive planting of aren trees. This tree, nicknamed the “magic tree”, is President Prabowo’s favorite because it is considered to have extraordinary potential in supporting Indonesia’s food and energy security.
The Minister of Forestry and Environment, Raja Juli Antoni, said that President Prabowo has long shown a special interest in aren trees. He said that almost all parts of this tree can be utilized, making it a symbol of sustainability and independence of natural resources.
“The President has long made aren the tree he likes and loves the most, because it is a magical tree. From the tip to the roots it can be utilized,” said Raja Antoni in a statement.
Furthermore, Raja Antoni explained that aren trees play an important role in realizing the two main pillars of national development: food and energy security. The sap from this tree can be processed into high-quality bioethanol, which has great potential to replace Indonesia’s dependence on imported fuel oil (BBM). In addition, other parts such as ijuk, sago, and palm sugar palm also provide added value in the food and industrial sectors.
“Imagine, from one hectare of well-managed palm trees, we can produce up to 24,000 kiloliters of bioethanol. If this program is implemented on an area of one million hectares, Indonesia will no longer need to depend on fuel imports, we can be energy independent,” he said.
Support for this program also came from the Minister’s Main Advisor and conservation and microbiology expert, Willie Smits. He emphasized that palm sugar has advantages over other plants because it remains productive amidst extreme climate change.
“Pandora is superior to coconut because it produces export-value products. One tree alone can generate an economic value of around two million rupiah from its ijuk. Its palm sugar palm can support food security, especially since palm sugar never dries out even during the lean season because its roots are very deep,” said Smits.
This strategic step is in line with President Prabowo’s grand vision to create an Indonesia that is independent, prosperous, and energy sovereign. Planting aren is not only a technical solution, but also a symbol of the government’s commitment to local resources and environmental sustainability.
By making aren a priority in national forestry and energy policies, Prabowo shows his commitment to bringing Indonesia into a new era: energy self-sufficiency based on its own natural resources.
