Antigua’s regenerative agriculture and cannabis cultivation sector has made significant progress with SwissX Island's recent announcement regarding the independent laboratory analysis of its carbonized supercompost soil amendment.
This innovative compost is derived from local organic waste streams utilizing a long-cycle fermentation process, which has been confirmed for its nutrient profile and safety characteristics through testing carried out by the Department of Analytical Services in Antigua.
The carbonized supercompost is crafted from a blend of:
- sargassum biomass collected from coastal areas near Jumby Bay,
- coconut and neem organics,
- farm animal manure,
- naturally occurring microbial cultures,
- fermentation agents including vinegar and sugar compounds.
The creation of the compost takes about six months within bio-reactor systems operated by SwissX Island. Following fermentation, the material undergoes a specialized pyrolysis process in an oven named “Gloria,” where it is carbonized into what SwissX describes as a “38% fixed-carbon supercompost.” This compost is designed for regenerative farming applications, aiding in water retention, microbial habitat support, and long-term soil stabilization.
Laboratory results revealed:
- Fixed Carbon: 38%
- Organic Matter: 39.92%
- pH: 7.39
- Potassium: 30,000 mg/kg
- Moisture Content: 3.61%
- Nitrate Nitrogen: 278.6 mg/kg
- Phosphate: 56.50 mg/kg
- Salmonella spp.: Absent
- E. coli: < 3
This supercompost's nearly neutral pH and low moisture content enhance its storage stability and facilitate its application across broad agricultural disciplines, while the high potassium levels are particularly conducive for flowering crops and cultivation in tropical settings.
SwissX Island is also involved in experimental applications of the amendment within Antigua’s cannabis cultivation landscape, benefitting local Rastafarian farming groups focused on organic methodologies. The overarching goal is to establish a Caribbean soil amendment initiative capable of improving degraded soils, lessening fertilizer use, conserving water during dry spells, and increasing long-term carbon content in tropical agriculture.
With the aim of aligning with agricultural carbon markets, SwissX’s product is designed to meet the criteria for carbon credits and sustainable farming programs. The biochar supercompost has been priced at EC$75 for a 10 lb bag, catering to home growers, specialty crop producers, and small cannabis cultivators throughout the Caribbean.
Furthermore, SwissX plans to pursue additional testing to evaluate aspects such as carbon stability and heavy metals presence to enhance their product’s reliability and adherence to market standards.
