Organic Wastes Need Not Be Wasted

In organic gardening, organic matter is the integral component to make it possible. However, a lot of people think that garbage is just that, garbage, whether they are bio-degradable or not. They make no distinction.

Jose and Pam Henares are actively pursuing organic gardening in their farm, so much so that their demand for organic fertilizers is also high. But since they know how to convert natural materials found around the farm into organic fertilizer, supply is not a problem for them. They even get to sell their compost to other farms.

Dr. Rafael Guerrero of the PCAMRD of the Department of Science and Technology Region VII has helped the couple in setting up their composting site. After visiting the farm for the first time, Dr. Guerrero gave some valuable insights and formulations for composting. Eventually, through the doctor, the farm was granted funding by the DOST.

One of their main activities is vermi-composting. The earthworms used are not the regular worms seen in backyards but are called African Night Crawler and imported from, of course, Africa. The worms were generously provided by Dr. Guerrero and are not being propagated in the farm. At present, there are more than 10 composting beds, each measuring about 2 meters x 3 meters. Each bed is covered with black plastic as they found out that the worms propagate faster in darkness. The cover also serves to protect the compost from being too soggy.

When the compost is ready, it is taken out for processing. Workers handpick the worms out of the compost pile and are returned to the beds for another composting activity. The compost is then ready to be used for their vegetable farm and rice fields. However, when it is sold, the compost goes through a sieve so that it will come out fine.

Vermi-compost may also be used as an organic foliar fertilizer through the process that the Henares farm employs. A kilogram of vermi-compost, combined with one tablespoon oatmeal, 30 cc of bio-catalyzer and 30 cc of molasses, is mixed with five gallons of water and aerated in big containers for 24 hours. Aerating the mixture allows it to combine very well and for the microorganisms to proliferate. The next day, the mixture, which they call Vermi-tea, is ready to be sprayed on vegetables and fruit trees.

Vermi-compost is very rich and combined with molasses, is very good plant food. The oatmeal provides a fungicidal effect. Vermi-tea's effectivity results on obvious plant growth. The problem with Vermi-tea is that it cannot be stored and bottled. It has to be used after 24 hours or else it will become rancid.

As the couple also has broiler farm with about 55,000 heads, they have a daily supply of chicken manure. This usually gets mixed with rice bran as the latter is being used to line the soil under the cages. Chicken manure is the major ingredient in their bokasi fertilizer, which comprises 50% of the mixture, and combined with 40% charcoalized rice hull and 10% rice bran. One ton of these solid materials are then combined with a solution of one liter bio-catalyzer to 200 liters of water and allowed to decompose in a covered area. After a week or so, the bokasi is ready to be used. The bio-catalyzer speeds up decomposition but when applied on the compost heap, the mixture becomes hot to the touch. Mr. Henares says when the pile is cool to the touch, the composting process is already done. Bokasi is best used for fruit trees and sugarcane. A hectare of sugarcane plantation uses up to a ton of bokasi.

Although some people are discouraged to go into composting because of the work entailed, nevertheless the savings is still worth it and the fact that we are complementing the environment should more than compensate for using organic fertilizers.