Impact Study on the Benefits of Using Regen Biofertilizer Fertilizer Based on Tropical Seaweeds
Soil Health in Indonesia has reached a crisis point, crop yields are decreasing and agricultural costs are increasing, excessive input of toxic chemicals into the soil including excessive use of pesticides & herbicides on crops is linked to the current human health crisis in Indonesia including stunting, chronic inflammatory diseases, diabetes and obesity.
For the past 2 years, PT Regenerasi Kehidupan Nusantara (RKN) has innovated a low-cost boutique production of tropical SEAWEED-based Biofertilizer & BioChar. RKN has proven the effectiveness of the products which connect the livelihoods of maritime seaweed farmers with land-based agribusiness farmers to not only answer the above challenges but also to increase national food security plus provide a blue carbon storage solution.
RKN has conducted 133 field trials since mid-2021 in Southeast Sulawesi, Bali and West Java. Rice field trials were carried out under the supervision of Agriculture Service extension staff in 6 villages in Southeast Sulawesi and in 10 Subaks in Tabanan, Bali, involving 138 individual farmers including a 2 hectare trial in Karawang West Java . Observations were collected, results were measured and impacts were calculated, this is what we identified.
Impact through harvest data reveals the differences between Conventional Agriculture vs Regenerative Agriculture
REGEN trial using Ciherang, Mekkonga, Mansur & Impari 32 identified Lab-produced varieties
Impact on Seaweed Farmers
During the trial period, RKN purchased 45 tons of wet raw seaweed, which was enough to process Biofertilizer to support 6,700ha of rice cultivation, only 0.00063% of the total rice fields in Indonesia.
The REGEN brand seaweed based Biofertilizer products, clearly improve soil health, soil health informs human health and directly improves farmer livelihoods.
For the past 2 years, PT Regenerasi Kehidupan Nusantara (RKN) has innovated a low-cost boutique production of tropical SEAWEED-based Biofertilizer & BioChar. RKN has proven the effectiveness of the products which connect the livelihoods of maritime seaweed farmers with land-based agribusiness farmers to not only answer the above challenges but also to increase national food security plus provide a blue carbon storage solution.
RKN has conducted 133 field trials since mid-2021 in Southeast Sulawesi, Bali and West Java. Rice field trials were carried out under the supervision of Agriculture Service extension staff in 6 villages in Southeast Sulawesi and in 10 Subaks in Tabanan, Bali, involving 138 individual farmers including a 2 hectare trial in Karawang West Java . Observations were collected, results were measured and impacts were calculated, this is what we identified.
Impact through harvest data reveals the differences between Conventional Agriculture vs Regenerative Agriculture
- Farmers who use government subsidized chemical fertilizers have an average volume of 4 tonnes/ha
- Farmers who use REGEN Biological Fertilizer average 5.1 tons/Ha, increasing volume by 28%
- Farmers who use chemicals produce yields (after rice milling) of an average of 50%.
- Farmers using REGEN produce an average yield of 63% indicating a 26% increase in post-harvest value
- The average cost of using government subsidized chemical fertilizer is IDR. 12,505,000,-/Ha
- The average cost of using non-subsidized chemical fertilizer is IDR. 17,125,000,-/Ha
- The average cost of using REGEN Biological Fertilizer is IDR. 13,450,000,-/Ha
- REGEN farming costs 8% more expensive than government subsidized farming
- REGEN farming costs are 21% cheaper than Non-Subsidized farming
- Farmers who use government chemical fertilizer subsidies earn an average of IDR 62,458/day (planting – harvest period 120 days)
- Farmers who use non-subsidized chemicals have an average income of IDR 23,958/day (planting-harvest period 120 days)
- Farmers who only use REGEN biofertilizer have an average income of IDR 103,583/day (planting-harvest period 120 days)
- REGEN farmers gain a 66% increase in daily income compared to government subsidized farmers
- REGEN farmers gain a 332% increase in daily income compared to non-subsidized farmers
REGEN trial using Ciherang, Mekkonga, Mansur & Impari 32 identified Lab-produced varieties
- Low to zero sugar content indicates a low glycemic index value
- Enriched minerals include 8% Zinc content per 100gms
- Complex carbohydrates increase
- Increased protein
- Harvested dry grain is 20% more expensive than conventional dry grain
- The selling price of rice has a higher added value
- Premium rice grain yield reaches 95%
Impact on Seaweed Farmers
During the trial period, RKN purchased 45 tons of wet raw seaweed, which was enough to process Biofertilizer to support 6,700ha of rice cultivation, only 0.00063% of the total rice fields in Indonesia.
- RKN purchased 45 tons of raw wet seaweed @ IDR 5,000/kg worth IDR 225,000,000 from seaweed farmers
- Seaweed farmers generally sell their products in dry weight @ IDR 18,000/kg (K.A.38%)
- 45 tons of raw wet seaweed = 5,625kg dry weight produces a value of IDR 101,250,000 to seaweed farmers
- REGEN seaweed farmers receive a 55% increase in value for less work than selling dry weight
- 1 x 18 farmer groups who sell seaweed harvested by dry weight receive IDR 5,625,000/person/harvest (30-45 days) excluding drying costs around 3-4 days
- 1 x 18 farmer groups who sell raw wet seaweed to RKN receive IDR 12,500,000/person/harvest (30-45 days) directly
- REGEN products increase or stabilize pH
- Increase soil fertility
- Increase water retention
- Increase organic carbon storage
- Improve soil microbiology
- Reduce insect threat
- Increase aquatic biota
- Increase plant resistance to abiotic stress
The REGEN brand seaweed based Biofertilizer products, clearly improve soil health, soil health informs human health and directly improves farmer livelihoods.