Biochar Project Shows Promise for Indonesian Rice Farming in Grobogan

A demonstration plot of rice field treated with biochar in Grobogan, Central Java, Indonesia

GROBOGAN, INDONESIA - Promising early results from agricultural trials are highlighting biochar's potential to transform Indonesian rice farming by increasing yields and sustainability. This development was the focus of a key Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and field visit on July 16, 2025, involving researchers, government officials, and biochar company WasteX.

Hosted by Diponegoro University (UNDIP), the discussion brought together a powerful coalition of stakeholders, including the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, and Bank Indonesia. The central topic was evaluating biochar's role as a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technology.

Promising Early Results

A visit to UNDIP's demonstration plots in Grobogan provided compelling evidence of biochar's impact. Early indicators from the treated rice plots were highly positive. Key observations include:

• Accelerated crop maturity

• Increased plant height

• A higher number of tillers per crop.

Farmer and Production Insights

Following the field visit, participants toured WasteX’s biochar production facility in Grobogan to learn about the conversion process. The facility uses small-scale biochar equipment to produce high-quality biochar, a critical factor for maximizing its positive impact on crops.

The project's impact was powerfully articulated by Tonny, a local farmer who is using WasteX biochar in the trial.

"Biochar can really help farmers improve their livelihoods by improving their yields, surviving the drought season, and improving soil health," he shared. "I have seen the results myself. I hope this project can continue for a long time and help our fellow farmers."

Concluding the event, WasteX affirmed its commitment to partnering with academia and government, driven by a shared mission to enhance farmer livelihoods and contribute to climate action.