Crops

The development of fertiliser using geothermal by-products aims to help the region combat fertiliser shortages in a sustainable manner. (Image Source: Canva Pro)

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has entered into a new era in its efforts to develop business outside of electricity through the utilisation of geothermal by-products

The PGE board of commissioners and directors alongside local farmers carried out initial spray tests of fertiliser made from the by-products (namely Katrili Booster Fertiliser) on rice plants in the Lao-Lao Geothermal Park area in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Katrili Booster, a result of a joint venture between PGE Area Lahendong and the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM), utilises silica produced from geothermal processes. Silica deposits from geothermal fluids are processed using nanotechnology, producing environmentally friendly and economical liquid fertiliser with the aim of helping farmers around PGE’s operational area provide a solution to the challenge of fertiliser scarcity in the region.

General manager of PGE Area Lahenong, Novi Purwono, said, “This initiative confirms PGE’s commitment to creating sustainable positive impacts through collaboration and community empowerment. We are optimistic that this step can make a significant contribution to national food security and local agricultural development.”

PGE president director, Julfi Hadi, added that the benefits of geothermal are not limited to providing electricity as a clean alternative, but also have potential in supporting other sectors.

“The use of Katrili Booster Fertiliser is concrete evidence that geothermal energy can contribute not only to energy self-sufficiency efforts, but also to strengthen national food security. This is an innovative step that is in line with our commitment to create added value from geothermal energy to support more sustainable and inclusive development in Indonesia.”

The partnership will focus on implementing best-in-class agricultural practices, capacity building programmes as well as undertaking comprehensive vegetable seed trials. (Image source: Bayer)

Building on their successful collaboration announced in 2023, Silal and Bayer have expanded their strategic partnership through a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai

The MoU outlines an ambitious programme of collaboration through 2028, focusing on four key initiatives designed to advance agricultural practices in arid environments around the world like the UAE, with both organisations aiming to contribute meaningfully to the region’s National Food Security, while also addressing climate change challenges.  

The partnership will also scale up agricultural capacity building through Bayer's BayG.A.P. programme, with particular emphasis on regenerative agriculture practices suitable for arid climates. A key innovation in this phase includes the implementation of digital monitoring and verification platforms to ensure the effective adoption of sustainable farming practices. Additionally, the collaboration encompasses the extension of comprehensive vegetable seed trials aimed at identifying crops better suited to local growing conditions and market demands.

Hugo Hagen, Senior Bayer Representative – Middle East at Bayer, stated: "The signing of this MoU represents a major step forward in our partnership with Silal. This detailed framework allows us to bring together Bayer's global expertise in sustainable agriculture with Silal's deep understanding of local agricultural challenges, advancing our mission of ‘Health for all, Hunger for none’ while addressing critical climate challenges."

The agreement will give Catona Climate customers access to credits generated by US farmers who adopt regenerative agricultural practices. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Leading sustainable agricultural solutions company Indigo Ag is helping to create a new market segment offering unprecedented opportunities for farmers and businesses to access the value of nature-based carbon credits

Indigo Ag’s scale and innovative, high-integrity approach has drawn the attention of global climate finance company Catona Climate which has consistently maintained a focus on sourcing, financing, and helping develop the highest-quality credits from nature-based climate solutions.

Through a strategic partnership, Indigo Ag has agreed to provide Catona Climate exclusive access to 250,000 credits from a highly-rated US-based regenerative agriculture soil carbon project. The agreement will give Catona Climate customers access to credits generated by US farmers who adopt regenerative agricultural practices — such as planting cover crops, diversifying crop rotation, and reducing tillage — that abate emissions and sequester carbon in the soil.

“We’re delighted that Catona Climate, known for their high-quality nature-based carbon credit portfolio, has chosen to work with us as we gear up to deliver our largest ever carbon crop,” said Indigo Ag CEO, Dean Banks. “This deal not only represents a strong vote of confidence in our thriving programme but also in soil carbon as an asset class. It reflects the increasing maturity of the market and will generate further confidence in the long-term durability of soil carbon projects, which is great news for the farmers and agribusinesses benefiting from this promising new revenue stream.” 

Among those who were recognised were scheme smallholders who consistently adopted sustainable plantation practices in compliance with certification standards. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Asian Agri’s smallholder partners in Jambi Province received recognition, with premium payments being distributed from the sale of certified sustainable palm oil for 2023

Forty cooperatives (KUDs) comprising around 12,500 smallholder members received a total amount of more than US$147.24 on 20 December at EV Garden in Jambi, Indonesia. The aim of the programme is to reward oil palm smallholders who adhere to internationally recognised sustainability standards, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. Among those who were recognised were scheme smallholders who consistently adopted sustainable plantation practices in compliance with certification standards.

“With RSPO certification, we can support the sustainable palm oil industry in international markets, particularly in Europe, where only sustainably sourced palm oil is accepted,” noted Ramli Simarmata, regional head of Asian Agri for Jambi region, adding that the premium payments are expected to benefit over 12,500 smallholders, aligning with Asian Agri’s 5C philosophy. This emphasises that the company’s presence should bring value to the Community, the Country, the Climate, the Customer, and ultimately the Company.

Rudy Rismanto, head of Partnership at Asian Agri, highlighted the role of partnerships in the company’s sustainability strategy. Rahadi, chairman of KUD Sawit Mulia, also noted the many advantages of the partnership model and encouraged smallholders with unproductive plantations to proceed with replanting. Furthermore, Basuki, supervisor of KUD Makmur Rezeki, emphasised the importance of using high-quality seeds as a key factor for successful replanting.