Techno-economic analysis of the production of nano biopesticides based on citronella essential oil

Abstract The development of biopesticides using new formulation nanotechnology has shown great potential in increasing the efficacy and safety of pesticides. Nano biopesticides consist of small particles of the active pesticide ingredient or small structures of the active ingredient that function as pesticides. The National Innovation Research Agency has developed a nano biopesticide based on essential oils. The formula containing the active ingredient citronella oil can effectively combat mosaic disease in patchouli plants on a field scale. It can inhibit the growth of P. palmivora with an inhibition power ranging from 23.11% to 77.78% compared to the control. This study examines the techno-economic feasibility of nano-biopesticides based on citronella, conducting an economic feasibility analysis using investment criteria. The results of the study showed that with the principal investment of a homogenizer machine with a production capacity of 120 litres/day for 24 working days/month, it produced 5760 packages of nano biopesticide products (500 ml)/month with the calculation of NPV investment criteria of IDR 15,750,480,363; IRR 60.34%, net B/C 1.52, PI 1.02, payback period for 19 months. Based on the calculations and techno-economic analysis, the production was deemed feasible during the project, given the data and assumptions set.