Gula Java - Rejosari

Tucked away in the small village of Gorang Gareng south-west of Madiun, Rejosari appears to exist in a time warp untouched by progress. Although all the narrow gauge field lines are closed, all cane still arrives at the mill by rail which keeps the mill area a pleasant environment.

Of the other mills in the Madiun area operated by PTPN XI, Sudhono and Pagottan have little steam powered equipment and Kanigoro has lost so much of its cane growing area with the expansion of Madiun that its continued operation is very much in doubt. Purwodadi deservedly has its own separate section in this project.

I first visited Rejosari for its steam locomotives in 1975, but it was more than 25 years later before I ventured inside the mill while my tour group was snapping 'Salak' at work. It took 5 minutes to decide it was a very special operation and I had no hesitation in including it in the set of special mills.

Dating from some time in the 19th century, Rejosari typically processes about 2000 tonnes of cane per day with a maximum output of SHS quality sugar of just about 130 tonnes.