Yogyakarta Promotes Cassava Cultivation for Bioethanol

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta is encouraged to expand cassava cultivation to support Indonesia’s bioethanol production. The proposal was discussed during a meeting at Gedhong Wilis, Yogyakarta, on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

The Indonesian Cassava Society (MSI) met with Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X during the meeting. MSI highlighted the potential for Yogyakarta to supply cassava for Indonesia’s bioethanol needs.

Chairman of the National Leadership Council of the Indonesian Cassava Society, Arifin Lambaga, explained the organization’s proposal. He said expanded cassava cultivation is needed to support the government’s bioethanol blending targets.

Arifin Lambaga said the organization currently supports efforts to increase bioethanol production for gasoline blending. He explained that Indonesia currently uses E5, while the target is to reach E20.

“We met with Sri Sultan to convey our need for expanded cassava cultivation. This is related to the need for bioethanol, with the hope of reaching E20 for gasoline blends, while currently we have only reached E5,” Arifin said.

Indonesia would need around three million kiloliters of bioethanol annually to reach the E20 target. Bioethanol can come from cassava, sugarcane, and corn, according to the Indonesian Cassava Society.

He said Yogyakarta is among the targeted areas because cassava has long been cultivated there. Its central location on Java could also ease the distribution of cassava and bioethanol across various regions.

“If land is available in Yogyakarta, let us develop cassava cultivation to supply bioethanol production in Indonesia. The Indonesian Government has set an E10 target for 2027 and E20 for 2028,” Arifin added.

The Indonesian Cassava Society is also developing other potential uses for cassava beyond food and bioethanol. These include biochar from cassava stalks and bioflavonoids from cassava leaves for potential skincare applications.