Energy and Land Conservation: Brown Sugar Processing with Appropriate Technology

Abstract

Brown sugar is traditionally produced by rural communities and considered as the substitutefor crystal sugar and potential export commodity. The production of brown sugar from palm and cane could be developed by usingappropriate technology (AT) inmicro and small business scales. This study aims to examine the feasibility of brown sugar production by specifically looking at the efficiency of marginal land for sugarcane cultivation and the use of fuel in the production process. A case study in two groups of brown sugar producers was conducted in two different districts in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data analysis includes business feasibility, fuel efficiency, producers’ potential incomes, and socio-economic and environmental impacts. The results show that the use of cooking stoves as AT has a great potency to increase the income of brown sugar producers through the improvement of energy efficiency and production capacity. Additionally, the cultivation of cane on marginal land for brown cane sugar can contribute to land conservation and rural community income source. The R/C-ratios are 3.34 for sugar canefarm, 1.82 for brown sugar can, and 1.22 for hybrid coconut brown sugar. The use of energy-efficient technology in the production of brown sugar can increase the efficient use of fuel, employment opportunities and income of rural communities and while encouraging forest preservation and agricultural land conservation