Value chain of cocopeat bio-textiles for reclamation of degraded land in Indonesia

Abstract

Soil degradation is a serious problem in Indonesia and the world. To solve such a problem it can use coco peat derived from coconut fiber, which source is very abundant in Indonesia. The research aimed to understand the impact of bio-textile application to prevent run-off erosion indicated by cover crop growing. The material used was cocopeat pressed block bio-textile at a dimension of 30 cm x 30 cm and a 2.5 cm thickness. It was completed by seed coating of the fast-growing legume cover crop of calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv) with the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, N-fixing bacteria, and P- and K-solubilizing bacteria. Bio-textiles were installed to cover plots in the sloping area of the Adaro Mining Company, South Kalimantan, from September 2018 to March 2019. The result indicated that seeds germinated around 30–40 days after planting and their biomass covering of the plot was almost up to 100% after five months, and the cocopeat bio-textile plates were still in good function until six months of observation in the field. We hope this innovation can provide a solution to erosion and landslides, and increase the economic value-added chain of cocopeat.