This project is implemented by PT Kopernik and Kopernik Japan on behalf of our client who funded this project.
With funding from the Toyota Environmental Activities Grant of the Toyota Motor Corporation, we will provide training for farmers to produce organic fertilizer from palm waste to improve productivity, and reduce palm waste.
Project Type
- Lean Experimentation
Partners
THE PROBLEM
Palm plantations are controversial and occupy large swaths of land in Kalimantan. For optimal growth and productivity of the palm tree, intensive fertilizer application is required.
Kopernik’s Unmet Needs 2018 research found that farmers in Sanggau, West Kalimantan were not using sufficient amounts of fertilizer to optimize growth and productivity, as they were unable to afford it. The Ministry of Agriculture does provide fertilizer subsidies, however, according to interviews with farmers, a regulation which came into effect in 2019, has made the administrative process of acquiring subsidized fertilizer more difficult.
It is also important to note that the intensive application of chemical fertilizer contributes to losses of soil nutrients and environmental degradation, which could be prevented through the use of environmentally sustainable fertilizer.
To address this problem, Kopernik is supporting farmers through training on how to produce organic fertilizer out of palm waste. This project is funded by a Toyota Environmental Activities Grant of the Toyota Motor Corporation.
The project includes training on the production of organic fertilizer from palm waste. Activities include coordinating with farmers' groups and local government, providing training about organic fertilizer, and production of the fertilizer.
Once implementation has been completed, Kopernik will share the results through a report as well as a dissemination event involving related stakeholders such as the government, farmers, local organization, and private sector players. The aim is to encourage adoption and maintain the sustainability of the project through partnerships with related stakeholders.
THE SOLUTION
We will provide training for farmers to make organic fertilizer out of empty palm oil fruit bunches as a sustainable way for farmers to provide nutrition for their soil and trees. The fertilizer will also reduce the amount of additional inorganic fertilizer required for optimum harvest, thus reducing production cost.
THE EXPECTED IMPACT
We expect farmers to become more aware of the benefits of using fertilizers to the soil and tree of the treated group and are encouraged to start producing their own organic fertilizer.
This project is implemented by PT Kopernik and Kopernik Japan on behalf of our client who funded this project.
