To restore and enhance the health of soil, ecosystems, and communities involved in agricultural systems, regenerative agriculture is currently being implemented in Bangkal in the context of small-scale oil palm plantations. This is expected to be essential in mitigating some of the environmental and social problems associated with conventional oil palm cultivation.

Organic farming demonstration plots can be used as practical and real examples of successful implementation of organic farming practices. These plots are areas within agricultural land where farmers, researchers, and the public can observe and learn about the benefits and techniques of organic farming.

Intervention Details:

• Number of farmers supported: 26 farmers
• Total land area intervened: 37.81 ha
• Technology introduced: The production of organic fertilizers and pesticides.
• Impact: Farmers receive comprehensive training in organic agriculture, covering sustainable soil management, natural pest control, chemical-free practices, and biodiversity promotion.  This equips them with environmentally friendly and sustainable palm oil farming skills.

Next steps:
Farmers have received support with tools, materials and training to be able to produce organic fertilizer independently so they can practice regenerative agriculture sustainably. Apart from that, farmers will also be introduced to intercropping practices into their farming systems. Intercropping involves planting short-lived plants or different trees together on the same land, and in this case is aimed at establishing a polyculture system.

Quotes:

“This organic palm oil activity is very good for farmers because the costs involved are not too expensive for chemicals, it is widely available around farmers and is environmentally friendly and does not damage the environment in the long term. During the 2 years of using organic fertilizer (chicken manure) there was a very good impact on the soil where the soil became loose because lots of worms appeared. In terms of plantation productivity, production is increasing, the program held by Kaleka is very helpful both technically and in terms of the knowledge provided through training.” – Mr. Majianto

“The programs held are good and really help farmers, especially those of us who are rural people who have minimal knowledge. What people say is fertilizer a, b, c, it's good, we follow it but we don't know what it contains. While using organic since 2017, the plantation results have been very good and this is very supportive of the organic palm oil program. The ingredients are easy to find and the prices do not burden farmers.” – Mr. Sigilen