Jakarta, June 26 -- The Indonesian government is working to boost national sugar production to levels last seen during the Dutch colonial era, according to Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman.

Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, Sulaiman said that such an ambitious goal could be achieved through discipline and strict management.

"Did you know that when Indonesia was under Dutch colonial rule, the country produced 10 tons of sugar per hectare? That was the result of pressure, discipline, and firmness," he told reporters.

Currently, Indonesia produces about 4 tons of sugar per hectare. However, with the use of modern techniques and sustained effort, he believes output could be increased to as much as 14 tons per hectare.

He emphasize...