WasteX has successfully increased corn yields by an average of 69% by implementing biochar in Desa Kedemungan, Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia. This program is part of a collaboration between WasteX, Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera, and Adakarbon under the P4G Partnerships initiative.
Six corn farmers from the Barokah Farmers Group participated in this project, receiving complimentary biochar produced by WasteX's partner in Pasuruan. The farmers then applied it during the initial planting phase to enhance soil health and crop yields.
Biochar’s porous structure enables it to absorb and retain nutrients, releasing them gradually and ensuring nutrient availability until harvest. This unique characteristic prevents nutrient pollution and improves soil water retention, a crucial benefit during dry seasons, which is exactly when the implementation was carried out.
The implementation ran from June to September 2024. Results were impressive, with all participants reporting a substantial increase in harvest yields. Yields rose between 30% and 148% compared to the previous harvest, directly impacting farmers' income. On average, a farmer’s net income per hectare could increase by approximately 49%, reaching IDR 13,000,000 ($835).
Sariono, one of the participants in the implementation said “with biochar, my corn yield increased by 30% compared to the previous harvest, even though I only used ¾ of the recommended biochar amount.”
The WasteX - Bina Tani partnership program is especially targeted to empower smallholder farmers, who constitute 62% of Indonesia’s farming population. They are the backbone of the country’s food producers, yet are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, increased pests and diseases, drought, and production losses.
Thus, the results of this implementation are significant, as they demonstrate the potential of biochar to improve farmers’ welfare and food security in Indonesia amid shrinking harvested area and falling corn production. According to the Indonesian Statistics Bureau (BPS), the production of shelled corn at 14% moisture content decreased by 11% YoY in 2023, and the harvested area was also down by 10% over the same period.
In terms of environmental impact, the biochar production process itself is carbon-negative and sequesters carbon. By heating biomass waste in an oxygen-free environment, the majority of the carbon is stored in a stable form that can last for hundreds of years. This biochar implementation in Desa Kedemungan sequestered 2 tonnes of CO2e, with additional projects in the village contributing to a total of 18 tonnes of CO2e sequestered.
Furthermore, as a certified C-Sink Manager under the Global Artisan C-Sink standard, WasteX is authorized to issue carbon credits through its biochar projects. The company has already removed approximately 25 tonnes of CO2e and aims to sequester 50 tonnes of CO2e per month in 2025.
The success of this program paves the way for a more sustainable agricultural future in Indonesia. Biochar offers a promising solution for carbon sequestration and improved agricultural productivity, aligning with Indonesia's commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 2030.
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