PT Sorbu, PGN to develop sorghum, biomass-based energy in Gorontalo

During a meeting between the Gorontalo Provincial Government with PT Sorbu Agro Energi and PT Pertamina subsidiary PT Pertamina Gas Nasional (PGN) at the Gorontalo Agriculture Office's building, Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail welcomed their investment plan to develop sorghum cultivation and biomass-based energy in Gorontalo Province.

In developing this project, PT Sorbu will focus on downstreaming and cultivating sorghum while PGN will utilize agricultural waste such as stalks, leaves, and corn cobs for the production of biomass-based renewable energy. Both companies have planned to start their projects in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, with the possibility of expanding to other areas in Gorontalo Province.

"I am very happy with and welcome this major initiative. The sorghum development project as a renewable energy source is not only relevant nationally, but also very strategic for the region. Moreover, this project is being realized from 'below', not just a plan from the center (Indonesian government), so we see it as more realistic and having a direct impact," said Gusnar.

He considered the plan to be very strategic and in line with the national policy in green energy transition and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The governor also emphasized the importance of sustainable natural resource management and active community involvement, especially farmers, in the project's entire supply chain.

Gusnar requested that the main focus of the project remains on partnerships with farmers, both in terms of cultivation and the development of agriculture-based industrial production. He also highlighted the importance of the sorghum variety provision process and multi-location testing that has been carried out by PT Sorbu together with the relevant government research center.

Gorontalo Province Agriculture Office Head Muljady Mario explained that his office has been coordinating intensively with PT Sorbu for the past two years in sorghum cultivation development.

"In the future, it (the collaboration with PT Sorbu) will of course involve other [provincial] offices as well because this is just an initial meeting between the governor and the company. Moreover, this project is designed to involve the [Gorontalo] public at large in its business process," he explained.

Currently, PT Sorbu is preparing to build a factory in Gorontalo that will involve local farmers, and it has completed the requisite land concession permit for around 9,000 hectares (ha) of land for that purpose.

Meanwhile, PGN will optimize the potential of agricultural waste. With the construction of a biomass factory by the state-owned enterprise (SOE), plant waste such as corn stalks and leaves will have added value while increasing the income of farmers who will supply said raw materials.