PALMOILMAGAZINE, YOGYAKARTA — Amid global challenges to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, Dr. Gatot Supangkat, a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY), has introduced an innovative breakthrough: a liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) enriched with nano-sized ash derived from palm oil empty fruit bunches (EFB).
This innovation not only represents a tangible step toward creating a healthier food system but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in preserving environmental sustainability and ensuring food security.
“Our vision is to build sustainable healthy agriculture. One key focus of the SDGs is planetary sustainability through safe and eco-friendly food systems. That’s why we chose an organic farming approach combined with advanced technology,” explained Dr. Gatot, as reported by Palmoilmagazine.com from UMY’s official website on Monday, June 23, 2025.
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The fertilizer formulation uses rabbit urine as a base ingredient. According to Dr. Gatot, tests showed rabbit urine to be the most effective compared to other livestock wastes. To enhance the fertilizer’s performance, nano particles of ash from palm oil empty fruit bunches—solid waste from the palm oil industry previously burned at temperatures exceeding 800°C for six hours—are added.
The ash is further processed using a ball milling technique. This involves mixing the ash with water in a 1:2 ratio and then milling the mixture with steel balls at 126 RPM for six hours. After filtration and drying, the resulting product can be used either as a powder or a liquid solution.
“The ash particles processed to the nano scale serve as nutrient enhancers. Due to their extremely small size, nutrients like potassium are absorbed by plants more rapidly. Potassium is vital for strengthening cell walls and boosting plant resistance to disease,” Dr. Gatot elaborated.
The optimal formulation was found to be the liquid organic fertilizer containing 3% nano ash of empty fruit bunches. Field trials on various horticultural crops—including curly chili, pakcoy, spinach, and lettuce—showed significant results: increased plant productivity without leaving harmful chemical residues in the soil or water.
Beyond fertilizer development, Dr. Gatot emphasized that this research represents UMY’s contribution to building technology-based agriculture systems that also leverage local wisdom and waste potentials.
“All the materials we use come from waste and production leftovers. We want to prove that smart, impactful solutions can emerge from waste,” he stated.
Officially Patented
This innovation, the nano ash-based liquid organic fertilizer formulation, has officially received a patent from the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP), Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia. This milestone marks recognition of scientific work that is not only academically excellent but also practically relevant to the national agricultural sector.
The fertilizer innovation developed by Dr. Gatot and his team exemplifies how universities can address real societal issues—from industrial waste management to food security challenges—through scientific research oriented towards sustainability. (P2)
