In a major advancement for Antigua’s agricultural sector, SwissX Island has released independent laboratory results confirming the nutrient profile and safety characteristics of its proprietary carbonized supercompost soil amendment. This innovative product is part of the territory’s expanding regenerative agriculture and cannabis cultivation efforts.
The compost, developed utilizing locally sourced organic waste and long-cycle fermentation methods, was tested by the Department of Analytical Services in Antigua, under the guidance of Linroy Christian. The most significant components used to create this supercompost include recovered sargassum collected from local beaches, coconut and neem organics, rescued farm animal manure, naturally occurring microbial cultures, and fermentation agents like white vinegar and molasses.
The process of composting takes about six months in covered bio-reactor systems operated by SwissX Island. At the end of this biological fermentation, the compost material is carbonized using a proprietary biochar pyrolysis oven, referred to as “Gloria,” resulting in a supercompost with a fixed carbon content of 38%.
The recent laboratory analysis provides favorable metrics: 39.92% organic matter, a near-neutral pH of 7.39, and a high potassium content of 30,000 mg/kg, all indicating its suitability for a variety of agricultural applications, especially in enhancing flowering crops and tropical cultivation. Furthermore, safety tests confirm that harmful bacteria such as *Salmonella* and *E. coli* are absent.
SwissX plans to further develop its compost for local growers, particularly focusing on the cannabis cultivation ecosystem and community farming initiatives, especially those aligned with Rastafarian Agricultural practices. The company’s broader goal is to establish a sustainable, locally-sourced soil amendment platform that will not only improve degraded soils but also help reduce the dependence on synthetic fertilizers while retaining water during droughts.
SwissX Island has set a retail launch price of EC$75 for a 10 lb bag of its BioChar Active SuperCompost Blend, catering to home growers and specialty crop producers across the Caribbean, while also eyeing potential carbon-credit pathways to support sustainable farming.
Further testing is planned, including expanded carbon stability analysis and heavy metals screening, all aimed at solidifying the product's viability for farmers across the region.
