Bioferdom Farmer Field School: Enhancing Agricultural Productivity Through SOP Adoption and Bioferdom Fertilizer Implementation in Banggai Regency

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of a needs-based farmer field school integrated with Bioferdom fertilizer application on farmers' knowledge, adoption of standard operating procedures (SOPs), corn productivity, and the economic feasibility of corn farming. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach incorporating active community participation and a single-group pretest–posttest design. Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews, field observations, and demonstration plot monitoring involving 24 members of the Mosa'angu Farmers Group. The effects of biosulfur fertilizer were evaluated separately in an experimental plot using a 5 × 5 factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD), with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer rates and biosulfur application rates as treatment factors, each replicated three times. The findings revealed that the average knowledge score increased from 40.0 to 77.8 (normalized gain [N-gain] = 0.63; p < 0.001), while SOP adoption increased from 19.9% to 85.1% (p < 0.001). Corn productivity increased from 0.99 to 1.87 metric tons per hectare, representing an 89.4% improvement, while the revenue-to-cost (R/C) ratio increased from 1.26 to 2.10. In the experimental plot, the combination of 75% of the recommended NPK fertilizer rate with 75–100% of the designated biosulfur application rate produced plant growth comparable to that achieved with 100% NPK fertilizer without biosulfur supplementation. This finding suggested the potential to reduce NPK fertilizer requirements, although the reported 9–19% cost savings would require further economic validation. Overall, the integration of needs-based farmer field schools with fertilizer innovations derived from gas industry by-products demonstrated potential as a community empowerment model consistent with circular economy principles. The program also supported progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly No Poverty (SDG 1), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15).