YUM's Agro-Innovation: Real-Life Trials Making Farming More Profitable and Productive

Driven by a commitment to sustainability and community empowerment, YUM's agriculture projects in Central Kalimantan have pioneered various agro-based innovations to support food security, boost local incomes, and promote organic farming. Through years of research and collaboration, we have developed and refined several key products:

1. POSKa (Pertanian Organik Skala Kecil)

POSKa, or Small-Scale Organic Farming, is a collaboration between YUM and the Bukit Batu community. This initiative helps local farmers grow organic vegetables while YUM facilitates training, cultivation techniques, and market access.

Each week, YUM collects freshly harvested vegetables from the village and delivers them to customers. Customers place their orders via a WhatsApp group where we share an updated harvest list. The vegetables are sorted, packed into boxes containing 5-8 varieties, and delivered directly to customers. This program provides an additional income source for local families while promoting organic farming.

2. Food Processing: Rosella Products

To extend the shelf life and value of our harvested produce, YUM has experimented with processing Rosella into various products such as jam, syrup, tea, and preserved rosella flowers. Rosella was chosen for its nutritional benefits and growing popularity. These products are now available for purchase on a made-to-order basis, allowing us to cater to customer demand while reducing food waste.

3. Azolla Cultivation (Azolla Microphylla)

Azolla is a small aquatic plant commonly found in rice fields, swamps, and lakes. It serves as an excellent organic fertilizer and high-protein feed for livestock and fish, containing 4-5% nitrogen and 24-30% protein.

Recognizing its potential, YUM has been cultivating Azolla for several years. Initially, it was distributed to participants in the Organic Home Garden, Free-Range Chicken Farming, and Fishery programs. Currently, we maintain 9 ponds (2.5 x 8 meters) and 20 basins for propagation. While primarily used as organic fertilizer for YUM’s crops, Azolla is also available for educational research purposes.

4. Earthworm Cultivation (Lumbricus rubellus)

Since 2013, YUM has been cultivating earthworms to support sustainable agriculture. These worms are valuable for producing high-protein feed (76% protein content) for chickens, ducks, and fish, as well as for generating nutrient-rich compost (vermicompost) and liquid fertilizer.

We currently maintain 10 cultivation boxes (2 x 0.7 meters), with harvesting occurring every three months. The worms are reintroduced into the soil of key crops like Moringa, Vanilla, and Agroforestry, while the organic compost is used for herbs, Azolla, and other plants at YUM.

5. Herb Cultivation

YUM is developing an herb garden at our Research Centers in KM30 & KM37, focusing on both culinary and medicinal herbs. The garden features Mint, Basil, Coriander, Aloe Vera, Local Oregano, Lemongrass, Curry Leaves, Parsley, and more.

Certain herbs—such as Basil, Coriander, Mint, and Parsley—are particularly difficult to grow in Kalimantan due to unsuitable environmental conditions. As a result, they are rarely available outside of large supermarkets in Palangkaraya. Despite the challenges, we continue cultivating these herbs to make fresh, high-quality ingredients more accessible.

6. Moringa Cultivation

Moringa is grown at YUM's Research Center at KM37 with the aim of producing dried leaves for tea and powder, providing an additional source of income for YUM. This nutrient-dense plant is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, protein, and iron. It also contains quercetin, a powerful antioxidant known for its blood pressure-lowering effects.

Our Moringa plantation covers 130 m² with 270 trees arranged in 12 rows. Leaves are pruned every two weeks, with three rows harvested at a time. However, the rainy season presents challenges, as excess moisture causes soil acidity to rise, leading to faster leaf yellowing and shedding. Despite these obstacles, we remain committed to maximizing Moringa’s benefits.

These initiatives embody a vision of sustainability, community empowerment, and environmental care. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, YUM is creating lasting benefits for both people and the planet. The journey doesn’t stop here—exciting new possibilities await as we keep exploring and advancing toward a greener, more sustainable future!