The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is spearheading an initiative to combat the degradation of over 60% of Indonesia's farmland by promoting the use of biochar. Biochar is a carbon-rich soil enhancer created by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment. Kadin's Deputy Chair for Agriculture, Devi Erna Rachmawati, highlighted the urgency of this solution, noting that the country has abundant raw materials for biochar production. To advance this effort, Kadin has established a 180-hectare research center in Banten Province to collaborate with government bodies and industry, providing both online and offline training for farmers in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. According to Dedi Nursyamsi, a senior expert from the Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture, biochar can significantly improve soil health by enhancing ventilation, water retention, and microbial activity, which in turn boosts crop yields and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. He also pointed out biochar's potential for carbon trading. The Ministry has developed its own product, Biotron, a biochar enriched with micronutrients and liquid organic fertilizer, and is currently distributing it to farmers across Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Java. Despite these efforts, Nursyamsi acknowledged that the current procurement is limited and called for increased support from industry stakeholders to scale up the adoption of this technology.Source: https://en.antaranews.com/news/376605/indonesia-eyes-biochar-tech-to-improve-crop-yields-and-soil-health (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: ANTARA NEWS, 29 August 2025