Jakarta, Oct. 15 -- Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated that the government's mandate to blend 10 percent ethanol into gasoline, which will take effect in 2026, will benefit farmers.

Speaking in Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday, Hasan said that the mandatory 10 percent ethanol blend will increase the price of cassava - one of the main raw materials used to produce ethanol - to Rp2,000 (approximately US$0.12) per kilogram.

Currently, the government-set selling price for cassava stands at Rp1,350 per kilogram. With the new policy, cassava will have a higher value, which is expected to improve farmers' welfare.

In addition to cassava, the price of sugarcane is also expected to rise.

"The program will significantly drive t...