Organic Farming
Organic Farming
Organic Farming
Table of contents
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4 Photos 6-7
5 Cost Benefit Analysis 7
6 Conclusion 8
1. Introduction
Organic manure is nutrient derived from organic sources like animal waste, vegetable
compost, agricultural residues, human excreta, etc. Basically they are natural materials that
decay and get mixed with the soil thereby increasing its fertility. The main idea behind
providing organic manure is to break down the complex inorganic nutritional supplements
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into simpler organic ones that can be easily absorbed and assimilated by the plants. Manures
having a low nutrient content have residual effect for a longer period of time. It also improves
the quality of the soil. Some of the major manure sources are:
Human waste like urine, night soil, sludge, sewage, slurry and other organic town
refuse.
Cattle waste like urine, dung, slurry from biogas plants.
Agricultural wastes like crop residue, trash, stubble, twigs, dry leaves, etc.
Slaughterhouse wastes like blood meal, bone-meal, meat meal, fish waste, horn meal
and hoof meal.
Water tank wastes like silt, weeds, water hyacinths, etc.
Agro-based industrial wastes like bagasse, oil cakes, corn cobs, press mud, wheat
straw, fruit and vegetable processing wastes, wheat bran, mushroom compost, etc.
Poultry wastes like droppings, extra feed, etc
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that should be avoided. Perennial weeds, which are plants that come back year after year,
should not be added to compost because they will grow back and spread.
Once these waste items are placed in a pile, the composting process can start. The organic
materials are broken down naturally by earthworms, bacteria and other organisms that live in
soil. Although the composting process can occur without any further human involvement,
most composting involves the addition of water and oxygen - which occurs by turning the
compost - to speed up the overall process. After several months, when all the organic material
is broken down, the final product is created and is often referred to as humus.
2.2 Methodology
The composting process adopted for kitchen wastes and garden wastes are different. I have
adopted kitchen waste composting.
2.2.1 Kitchen Waste Composting
POT COMPOSTING
On an average a household, with 4 to 5 members, generates 1.5 to 2 kg of bio-degradable discards
daily. Pot composting is one of the easiest, safest and most efficient way for composting these
discards. Pot composting with sufficient aeration does not emit unbearable smell. Easy availability,
simplicity, portability and efficiency make this attractive. It requires very less space and hence
suitable for urban dwellers.
Two earthen/terracotta pots with 50 cm height and 100 cm girth. (The size of gas holding
part of your domestic gas cylinder). Earthen pots are porous with numerous microscopic
holes on it which allows adequate aeration inside the pot. Aeration is a compulsory factor in
aerobic composting which is possible with earthen pots. That is why earthen pots are
chosen.
Two earthen lids to cover the mouth of pots.
Two tripod stands which are at least 15 cm high and have a diameter not less than that of
the mouth of the pot.
Leachate collecting container - A plastic/ metal container of 500 ml capacity and having a
height of not more than 15 cm.
One mini garden hand shovel / or a meter long stick for turning the compost while emptying
the pots.
Two pieces of plastic sheets for covering the mouth of pots during the rainy season.
Camphor, cooking oil and common salt
1. Kitchen waste
Vegetable waste
Food waste
Fish waste
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NB: Waste shall be devoid of plastics, battery, oily materials, bottles and liquefied food
wastes.
2. Secondly, put both these wastes in two different containers in the kitchen. When the wet
waste container is full, put its contents into the first compost pot.
3. Then add dry leaves of the same quantity as the waste and semi-composted material,
buttermilk or cow dung to start with the decomposition process.
4. Turn the pile around every other day. Keep the pile at the right level of dampness. If it is
too wet, add dry leaves and stir and if it is too dry add water and stir.
5. Once it is full, leave the pot open for 30-45 days for the composition to happen. Then
move the semi-composted matter into a larger container or bin.
6. After two months the waste will convert into rich compost that can be used or sold as
manure.
4.Photos
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5. Cost& Benefit Analysis
The cost spend towards bio bin compost is less compared to buying from market . Dried
leaves, papers and kitchen waste all these were made available from my house.
6. Conclusion
Composting is an easy, enjoyable and can be done almost anywhere. Composting is an easy
way to deal with problems such as air pollution, environment pollution and such other related
problems. By composting one can produce nutrient rich soil that are beneficial to plants. By
doing organic composting at home I realised the use and significance of making manures at
home. Even if there is some expenses, it is worth when comparing its benefits. Composting
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can also improve soil fertility and can offer protection from potential plant diseases as well.
Proper composting can ensure minimum pests as the compost itself contains various micro-
nutrients that act as pesticides. Composting organic waste can help in reducing the overall
impact on the environment. Composting at home can be a fun activity when you have people
to help & guide you. I used the produced compost to all my plants and the growth was
surprising. Since we used organic manures, harvesting was more than we expected.
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