Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, perennial grass (in the genus Saccharum, tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sucrose,which accumulates in the stalk internodes. Sugarcanes belong to the grass family, Poaceae, an economically important flowering plant family that includes maize, wheat, rice, and sorghum, and many forage crops. It is native to New Guinea.

Sugarcane accounts for most of the world’s sugar production, but harvesting it remains a complex challenge. Farmers often burn the fields to remove leaves, making it easier to collect the sugar-laden stalks. In Florida, the largest sugar producer in the United States, plumes of smoke from these fires can be seen from miles away. Studies estimate that sugarcane field burning contributes to one to six deaths annually in South Florida. While Brazil, the world’s largest sugar producer, has largely transitioned away from this practice, the United States continues to rely on it. This raises the question: why does the U.S. persist with this method, and what would it take to transform this billion-dollar industry?

Historically, sugarcane harvesting was a manual, labor-intensive process. Workers would use machetes to clear tough leaves, a time-consuming and physically demanding task. Burning the fields sped up the process, reduced labor costs, and eliminated pests like rodents and insects. Over time, however, the practice revealed serious drawbacks, including significant health and environmental hazards.

In Brazil, the adoption of “green harvesting” has revolutionized the industry. This method uses machines to cut the sugarcane, separate leaves, and spread the organic waste onto the soil. These leaves enrich the soil, prevent water loss, and reduce erosion, while the raw sugarcane retains its valuable juice longer. Despite its benefits, green harvesting has its challenges. Farmers often need to use more pesticides to manage pests, and the additional leaf litter complicates processing, requiring factories to adopt new technologies to break it down efficiently.

Brazil’s transition to green harvesting aligns with its push to produce ethanol, a cleaner-burning biofuel that emits 62% less CO₂ than gasoline. Since the 1970s, the Brazilian government has heavily invested in ethanol production, incentivizing farmers to phase out burning practices. Policies, funding, and international investments helped São Paulo, a major sugarcane-growing region, achieve 90% green harvesting by 2014. Today, Brazil ranks as the world’s second-largest ethanol producer, second only to the United States.

In contrast, field burning remains a common practice in other sugar-producing countries, including India, Thailand, and the U.S. In Florida, sugar companies like U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals operate extensively in the Glades region, where over 8,000 burn permits are issued each year. Fires are banned on windy days but are permitted when breezes direct smoke away from wealthier areas. Residents near the farms face constant exposure to harmful smoke, which has been linked to respiratory issues, including asthma.

Reggie Goodgame, a resident of the Glades, moved to the area expecting tranquility but soon faced relentless plumes of smoke. Within two years, his wife developed asthma, which they suspect is related to the burning. Studies confirm that sugarcane fires release PM 2.5 particles—fine pollutants small enough to enter the bloodstream—posing risks of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions. Florida State University researchers found that during the burning season, the fine particles produced by sugarcane fires are comparable to those generated by all vehicles in the state.

Despite these findings, Florida’s sugar industry disputes the claims, asserting that air quality in the region meets state standards. However, localized and short-lived smoke events often go undetected by air quality monitors. Farmers argue that burning remains essential to reducing pest pressure and maintaining soil conditions unique to Florida’s moist, organic-rich terrain. Unlike Brazil, the U.S. lacks regulations or financial incentives to promote green harvesting, making it a less viable option for many farmers.

While the U.S. sugar industry benefits from subsidies worth $1 billion annually, most of these funds go to crops like wheat, soy, and corn. With the dominance of corn-based ethanol, there is little room to develop a sugarcane ethanol market. Farmers contend that transitioning to green harvesting would require significant government support to mitigate the risks of crop failures.

For residents like Reggie, the fight against sugarcane burning continues. “I don’t want to give up this house for the burning,” he says. “But something has to happen. We can’t keep burning and burning.”

Historical Background

Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugar, a title it has maintained for decades. Historically, like many other sugar-producing countries, Brazil relied on field burning to simplify sugarcane harvesting. This method eliminated leaves, reduced labor costs, and controlled pests. However, as the environmental and health costs of burning became apparent, Brazil embarked on a path to transform its industry.

Transition to Green Harvesting

Brazil’s shift away from field burning began in earnest in the late 20th century, with the adoption of green harvesting—a method that avoids pre-harvest burning. In green harvesting, specialized machinery cuts the sugarcane, separates leaves from stalks, and deposits the leaves onto the soil. This technique delivers several key benefits:

1. Soil Enrichment and Conservation:
   • The organic leaf matter acts as a natural mulch, shielding the soil from erosion and water loss.
   • It improves the soil’s organic content, making it more fertile over time.
2. Juice Preservation:
   • Raw, unburned sugarcane retains its juice for longer, enhancing the quality and yield of sugar production.
3. Environmental Advantages:
   • Green harvesting reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supporting Brazil’s sustainability goals.
   • It mitigates air pollution, benefiting local communities and ecosystems.

Ethanol: A Driving Force for Change

A critical factor in Brazil’s move away from burning fields is its ethanol program. Sugarcane is not only a source of sugar but also the primary feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil. Ethanol, a biofuel, burns cleaner than gasoline and is central to Brazil’s energy strategy.

1. Government Investments:
   • Brazil started heavily investing in ethanol production during the oil crises of the 1970s to reduce dependency on foreign oil.
   • Incentives for ethanol production indirectly encouraged greener farming practices.
2. Flex-Fuel Technology:
   • The government promoted cars capable of running on ethanol or gasoline, creating a domestic demand for sugarcane-based biofuel.
3. Global Ethanol Markets:
   • By producing cleaner ethanol through green harvesting, Brazil positioned itself as a leader in the global biofuel market.

Legislative and Policy Support

In 2002, São Paulo, Brazil’s largest sugar-producing state, passed a law requiring the phase-out of field burning over three decades. This regulation set a precedent for other regions and accelerated the transition:

1. Public Policies:
   • Farmers received government subsidies and technical support to invest in green harvesting machinery.
   • Foreign investments and trade agreements further bolstered funding for cleaner practices.
2. Enforcement:
   • The law introduced clear timelines and accountability mechanisms, ensuring compliance among sugar producers.
3. Results:
   • By 2014, 90% of São Paulo’s sugarcane was green harvested, significantly reducing emissions and pollution.

Economic and Technological Adaptation

Adopting green harvesting required significant investments in technology and adaptation to local conditions:

1. Advanced Machinery:
   • Brazilian farmers adopted cutting-edge equipment to harvest and process raw sugarcane efficiently.
2. Factory Upgrades:
   • Sugar mills were modernized to handle the additional leaf litter and impurities present in unburned cane.
   • These innovations improved sugar and ethanol production efficiency.
3. Training and Education:
   • Farmers and workers were trained to operate the new machinery and implement sustainable agricultural practices.

Challenges and Ongoing Efforts

While Brazil has successfully transitioned to green harvesting in many regions, challenges remain:

1. Pest Management:
   • Without burning, pest control relies more heavily on pesticides, which can increase costs and environmental risks.
2. Soil Variability:
   • Some regions, particularly those with different soil conditions, face difficulties adapting green harvesting techniques.
3. Global Standards:
   • Although Brazil has reduced burning, other top producers like India and Thailand continue the practice, creating competitive disparities in the global market.

Global Leadership in Sugar Production

Despite these challenges, Brazil’s dominance in sugar production is underpinned by its innovations and commitment to sustainable practices. In addition to being the largest sugar exporter, Brazil is the second-largest ethanol producer globally. Its model serves as a benchmark for other nations aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

By leveraging technology, government policy, and market demand for biofuels, Brazil demonstrates how a historically polluting industry can evolve into a more sustainable and profitable enterprise.

1. Understanding Indonesia’s Context

Indonesia, a major agricultural economy in Southeast Asia, has favorable conditions for sugarcane production, including tropical weather, fertile soils, and abundant rainfall. However, like other sugar-producing nations, Indonesia relies on traditional methods that often include field burning. This leads to environmental degradation, health issues, and inefficiencies in production.

Key challenges in Indonesia include:

• Low Mechanization: Many farms are small-scale, relying on manual labor rather than machinery.
• Environmental Concerns: Field burning contributes to air pollution, adding to the region’s ongoing haze problem.
• Market Competition: Indonesia imports a significant amount of sugar to meet domestic demand, limiting incentives for modernization.

2. Lessons from Brazil’s Approach

Brazil’s transition to sustainable sugarcane practices offers several applicable lessons for Indonesia:

A. Green Harvesting Technology

Brazil’s green harvesting methods involve machinery that cuts sugarcane without burning, leaving organic matter on the soil. Indonesia can adopt similar practices by:

• Investing in Machinery: Providing subsidies or low-interest loans for farmers to purchase or lease harvesting equipment.
• Scaling Up Mechanization: Encouraging cooperatives to pool resources for machinery, making green harvesting feasible for small-scale farmers.

B. Soil Conservation

Brazil demonstrated that leaving sugarcane leaves on the soil improves fertility, prevents erosion, and enhances moisture retention. This is especially relevant in Indonesia, where soil degradation is a growing concern.

• Promote Organic Farming: Educating farmers on the benefits of using sugarcane leaves as natural mulch.
• Local Research and Adaptation: Conducting studies to tailor Brazil’s techniques to Indonesia’s soil types and climatic conditions.

C. Ethanol as a Byproduct

Ethanol production from sugarcane is a cornerstone of Brazil’s agricultural economy. Indonesia can replicate this model to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

• Develop Ethanol Infrastructure: Building ethanol refineries to process sugarcane efficiently.
• Policy Support: Introducing mandates for ethanol blending in fuels, as Brazil did with flex-fuel vehicles.
• Market Development: Encouraging industries and consumers to adopt ethanol as an alternative energy source.

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3. Policy and Regulatory Framework

Brazil’s success was driven by clear policies, subsidies, and enforcement mechanisms. Indonesia can benefit from similar initiatives:

A. Phasing Out Burning

• Legislation: Enforce gradual bans on pre-harvest burning, with clear timelines for compliance.
• Incentives: Provide financial support to farmers transitioning to green harvesting practices.

B. Public and Private Investments

• Government Role: Establish funding programs for sustainable agriculture.
• Private Sector Involvement: Attract foreign investments in sugarcane processing technologies, similar to Brazil’s partnerships.

C. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

• Partnering with Brazilian experts and institutions to transfer knowledge on green harvesting techniques.
• Establishing training centers to educate farmers and technicians on sustainable practices.

4. Addressing Regional Challenges

Indonesia faces unique challenges that need targeted solutions:

A. Smallholder Dominance

• Cooperative Farming: Organize smallholders into cooperatives to pool resources for machinery and infrastructure.
• Custom Machinery: Develop smaller, cost-effective harvesting machines tailored to small plots.

B. Pest and Disease Management

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Reduce reliance on pesticides by promoting IPM techniques that balance pest control with environmental safety.
• Biological Controls: Invest in research for biological pest control agents to support sustainable farming.

C. Public Awareness

• Launch campaigns to educate the public and policymakers on the benefits of sustainable sugarcane practices for health, environment, and economic growth.

5. Economic Implications

Transitioning to green harvesting and ethanol production has long-term economic benefits:

• Boosting Domestic Production: Meeting domestic sugar demand and reducing imports.
• Job Creation: Establishing ethanol plants and machinery manufacturing can generate employment.
• Export Potential: Positioning Indonesia as a regional leader in sustainable sugar and ethanol production.

6. Environmental and Health Benefits

Adopting Brazil’s practices can significantly improve air quality and reduce the health risks associated with field burning. These changes align with Indonesia’s commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development.

7. Feasibility and Next Steps

To apply Brazil’s model, Indonesia needs a phased approach:

1. Pilot Projects: Begin with pilot programs in major sugar-producing regions like Java and Sumatra.
2. Infrastructure Development: Build processing plants for green-harvested sugarcane and ethanol.
3. Policy Roadmap: Develop a national strategy with clear goals and timelines for sustainable sugarcane production.

By leveraging Brazil’s expertise and adapting it to local conditions, Indonesia can modernize its sugar industry while addressing environmental concerns and improving its agricultural economy.

Here’s a detailed analysis of specific regions in Indonesia suitable for adopting Brazil’s sustainable sugarcane practices and recommendations for stakeholder involvement:

1. Key Regions for Sustainable Sugarcane Adoption

Indonesia’s sugarcane production is concentrated in several regions, each with unique characteristics that make them ideal for adopting sustainable practices:

A. Java

• Current Role: Java is Indonesia’s primary sugar-producing region, contributing over 60% of the national production. The region hosts a majority of the country’s sugar mills.
• Suitability:
  • Fertile volcanic soils and relatively flat terrain are ideal for mechanized farming.
  • Proximity to urban markets like Jakarta and Surabaya makes it a logistical hub for sugar processing and distribution.
• Challenges:
  • Land fragmentation due to smallholder dominance.
  • High population density limits land availability for expansion.
• Recommendations:
  • Establish cooperative farming models to consolidate resources.
  • Prioritize pilot projects in Central and East Java, where sugarcane cultivation is more intensive.

B. Sumatra

• Current Role: Sumatra is Indonesia’s second-largest sugar-producing region, particularly in provinces like Lampung and South Sumatra.
• Suitability:
  • Large-scale plantations managed by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) like PTPN offer a platform for mechanized farming and pilot green harvesting.
  • Less densely populated areas compared to Java allow for expansion.
• Challenges:
  • Remote locations increase transportation costs for harvested cane.
• Recommendations:
  • Focus on large plantations in Lampung to test green harvesting technologies.
  • Develop transportation infrastructure to integrate supply chains.

C. Sulawesi

• Current Role: Sulawesi’s sugarcane industry is emerging, with potential for expansion.
• Suitability:
  • Land availability and favorable climate conditions for sugarcane cultivation.
  • Support from local governments to attract agricultural investments.
• Challenges:
  • Limited processing infrastructure.
• Recommendations:
  • Combine sugarcane expansion with ethanol production to create an integrated value chain.
  • Encourage public-private partnerships to build processing facilities.

D. Kalimantan

• Current Role: Kalimantan’s sugarcane production is minimal but growing due to new land development initiatives.
• Suitability:
  • Ample land availability and government initiatives to promote agricultural development.
• Challenges:
  • Peat soils are less suitable for sugarcane, requiring careful planning and crop management.
• Recommendations:
  • Introduce green harvesting as part of new plantations to set sustainability benchmarks from the outset.
  • Conduct soil studies to optimize crop growth.

2. Recommendations for Stakeholder Involvement

Implementing sustainable practices like green harvesting requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Below is a breakdown of key stakeholders and their roles:

A. Government

1. National Government:
   • Develop policies to phase out field burning with clear timelines.
   • Provide financial incentives for farmers to adopt mechanization and green harvesting.
   • Expand ethanol mandates, promoting sugarcane as an alternative to corn-based biofuels.
2. Regional Governments:
   • Support pilot projects in sugarcane-dominant provinces.
   • Invest in local infrastructure like roads and processing plants to facilitate modernization.

B. Farmers and Cooperatives

• Smallholder Farmers:
  • Organize into cooperatives to pool resources for machinery and training.
  • Educate on the long-term benefits of green harvesting for soil health and crop yield.
• Large Plantation Owners:
  • Lead by example by adopting green harvesting technologies.
  • Share best practices with smallholder farmers through partnerships and training programs.

C. Private Sector

1. Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers:
   • Develop affordable, small-scale machinery suitable for Indonesia’s fragmented farmlands.
   • Collaborate with government programs to make equipment accessible through subsidies or lease-to-own models.
2. Ethanol Producers:
   • Invest in sugarcane-based ethanol plants to diversify Indonesia’s biofuel market.
   • Work with government agencies to create demand for ethanol through blending mandates.
3. Sugar Mills:
   • Modernize processing facilities to handle raw, green-harvested cane.
   • Partner with farmers to ensure consistent supply chains and fair pricing.

D. Research Institutions and Academia

• Conduct studies on adapting Brazil’s techniques to Indonesia’s specific climate, soil, and pest conditions.
• Develop pest management strategies to reduce reliance on pesticides in green harvesting systems.

E. International Partners

1. Brazilian Expertise:
   • Partner with Brazilian agribusinesses and research institutions for knowledge transfer.
   • Establish training programs to teach Indonesian farmers and technicians about green harvesting.
2. Global Development Agencies:
   • Collaborate with organizations like the World Bank and FAO to secure funding for sustainable sugarcane projects.
   • Launch programs to raise awareness about the environmental and health benefits of reducing field burning.

3. Implementation Roadmap

To ensure success, Indonesia can adopt a phased approach:

1. Phase 1: Pilot Projects (1–3 Years):
   • Identify pilot regions (e.g., Lampung, East Java).
   • Introduce green harvesting machinery and train farmers.
   • Set measurable goals for reduced field burning and increased green harvesting.
2. Phase 2: Expansion and Policy Integration (3–7 Years):
   • Scale up successful pilot projects across Java and Sumatra.
   • Implement ethanol blending mandates to create demand for sugarcane biofuel.
   • Establish regulations to phase out field burning nationwide.
3. Phase 3: Full Implementation and Global Leadership (7–10 Years):
   • Achieve nationwide adoption of green harvesting practices.
   • Position Indonesia as a regional leader in sustainable sugar production and ethanol exports.

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By focusing on high-potential regions and engaging diverse stakeholders, Indonesia can emulate Brazil’s success and transform its sugarcane industry into a more sustainable and globally competitive sector.