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Dian Haruno (center right) trains farmers and workers on fertilizer applications. Photo credit: MDR
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Besuki farm in Jember after fertilizer application. Photo credit: MDR
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Crop waste burning in Jember, a problem that persists everywhere in Indonesia. Photo credit: MDR
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Composting pits for making organic fertilizers, such as this one in Jember, are still a rare sight. Photo credit: MDR
Although “sustainability” is a buzzword in the tobacco sector, natural fertilizer is still under-used in Indonesia in favor of chemical products.
Chemical fertilizers continue to be enormously widespread throughout the global tobacco sector. Depending on the growing region, there is a range of reasons for that. Governments or agricultural cooperatives often provide chemical fertilizers at heavily subsidized prices, helping farmers to keep down their production cost. When applied correctly, chemical products also permit for better nutritional control while the plants are maturing, resulting in improved yields and higher quality crops. However, chemical fertilizers also come along with a host of less positive aspects. For example, when used too copiously, they easily can ruin soils and even contaminate fresh water sources. Temporary supply shortages of certain fertilizers also are a situation not unheard of, especially in developing countries. They can leave farmers in limbo and have a detrimental effect on crop development.
Sustainability is wonderful, but…
But then again, “sustainability” has long been one of the biggest buzzwords in agricultural circles, including tobacco growing. One could therefore think that compost produced from the considerable amounts of organic waste freely available especially in tropical countries such as Indonesia would be a great way to actively drive sustainability. Organic compost also would give growing crops a much more balanced nutrition while saving perpetually cash-strapped farmers a bundle. At least a partial switch seems logical. But, it just isn’t happening.
PT. Mangli Djaya Raya (MDR) is among the largest independent tobacco merchants in one of Indonesia’s most important tobacco growing hubs, the sprawling district of Jember on the eastern tip of Java. The firm literally has hundreds of local farmers under contract in any given season, but additionally also purchases produce from countless free-market suppliers. Company president Christian A. Njoto Njoo (Chris) told Tobacco Asia during a recent interview that as part of its good agricultural practices (GAP), MDR maintained a “sustainable tobacco policy, including encouraging an increased use of natural fertilizers among our most closely associated growers.” However, he also admitted that natural fertilizers currently only make up a small portion when compared to chemical fertilization. He pointed out that compost-making not only took time but also was costlier than obtaining chemicals. “While we ask our farmers [to use compost], we cannot force them to do so,” he said.
Supply shortages of chemicals could be “blessing in disguise”
While all of this constitutes a bit of a dire outlook, Chris nevertheless insisted that MDR’s agronomists kept educating growers about the benefits of using natural fertilizers. And a particular economic development might just come in quite helpful in that regard. Chris explained that prices of chemical fertilizers had recently began skyrocketing, while market availability was simultaneously decreasing due to a variety of reasons, including the onset of global recession. “That alone,” he said, “could turn out a blessing in disguise for driving ahead [our] natural fertilizer campaign.”
Natural compost brings many advantages
There are clear advantages to using natural compost, too, according to MDR agronomist, Dian Haruno. The most notable one, he told Tobacco Asia, is a pronounced improvement in soil texture and quality, including increased bacterial and fungal activity. Secondly, due to the wholesome nutrient composition inherent to natural fertilizer, less nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium needs to be supplemented in the form of artificial agents. In addition, natural fertilizer releases its nutrients into the soil slower and over extended time periods. It also considerably reduces the probability of so-called “fertilizer burn,” a common problem that literally causes plants to wither when chemical fertilization is applied too excessively.
Last but not least, the danger of soil “poisoning” is practically negated as well. “It is hard to over-fertilize soil with natural compost, because it does break down much slower and releases its nu-trients even if it’s brought out into the fields in excess,” Dian explained. Furthermore, once the ratio of natural fertilizer usage surpasses that of chemical agents, it can be a long-term cost-saving solution for tobacco farmers. “Considering the current economic situation and weather pattern anomalies which are predicted to continue for the next few years, [increased usage of natural fertilizer] is an opportunity worth being pursued by farmers and us as an industry in general,” Dian said.
Farmers like it simple
The arguments in favor of natural fertilizer use on a larger scale are compelling. So, why then are Indonesian growers so reluctant in picking up the practice? It has to do with the realities on the ground, of course. MDR management staff member Ferry A. Setiawan said that the bulk of Indonesia’s tobacco farms are smallholder family operations with only between 0.5-2 hectares of tillable fields. Many among them don’t even own their land but rent it from large landowners. “Whether big or small, farmers usually don’t want to deal with overly complicated stuff. They like it simple, including aspects concerning agricultural waste,” elaborated Ferry. “Turning that waste into compost would require both time and money. So they rather sell their waste to the few companies around that produce compost industrially.”
Composting is too expensive for most
Furthermore, the accumulated waste volumes often are not enough to warrant an investment in a costly on-site composting facility. This prompts many farmers to simply burn their agricultural left-overs. “It’s faster and causes them less hassle,” said Ferry, adding that post-harvest field burning “has been a problem in Indonesia for decades, mainly due to smoke pollution.” But the time-intensive decomposition of some of the hardier waste types such as rice husks and straw is another hurdle. “Rice husks need more than 20 days to turn into compost and require constant attention. For instance, the heat generated during decomposition can combust the whole heap. Such fires can easily get out of control and spread during the rather dry harvesting season.”
Growers “too accustomed” to quick results
Ferry’s colleague Dian Haruno pointed out that there was “no denying that without a cheap way of mass-producing it, natural fertilizer remains much more expensive compared to readily available chemicals.” Yet as MDR president Christian A. Njoto Njoo had already mentioned, the recent price spikes along with market shortages of chemical fertilizers might just be “the perfect opportunity to push a cost-effective way of making natural fertilizers in sufficient volumes.” But that also would necessitate to finally win over the growers themselves. And that, Dian observed, is easier said than accomplished. “Natural fertilizer will always work much slower. Farmers have become too accustomed to seeing quick green-up after chemical fertilizer use. They therefore tend to downplay the advantages of natural fertilizers and broadly dismiss campaigns that encourage their use.”