PROJECT REPORT

MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSE ON

ORGANIC FARMING
Manure Making

MILAN P ROY

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
ST. PAULS COLLEGE, KALAMASSERY
 CONTENTS

Introduction……………………………………...2
Materials and methods…………………………3-4
Observation and data collection…………………5
Photos……………………………………….….6-7
Discussion……………………………………….8
Conclusion……………………………………….9
Abstract…………………………………………10
References………………………………………10

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Chapter 1: Introduction
Per capita waste generation in India is estimated to be around 500 gram per day.
A nuclear family of 4-5 members generates 2 to 2.5 kg of wastes per household.
Organic wastes generated at household levels can be processed at the source
itself.

Decentralized waste processing is more practical and cost effective than a

centralized one. It is the responsibility of each individual to process the waste
generated by him/her. One of the best ways to dispose household waste is
organic manure preparation.

Organic manures are natural products used by farmers to provide nutrients for
crop plants.
There are a number of organic manures like farmyard manure, green manures,
compost prepared from crop residues and other farm wastes, oil cakes, and
biological waste-animal bones, slaughter house refuse.

Organic manures increase organic matter in the soil. Organic matter in turn
releases the plant food in available form for the use of crops. However, organic
manures should not be seen only as carriers of plant food. These manures also
enable a soil to hold more water and also help to improve the drainage in clay
soils.

They provide organic acids that help to dissolve soil nutrients and make them
available for plants. Organic manures have low nutrient content and therefore
need to be applied in larger quantities. The nutrient content of organic manures
is highly variable from place to place, lot to lot, and method of preparation. The
composition of fertilizers is almost constant.

Composting is a biological process in which microorganism of aerobic and

anaerobic decompose organic matters. Kitchen waste and garden waste
generated on a daily basis are to be processed and converted by using

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appropriate methods. Kitchen waste as well as garden waste can be used for this
process. But the composting process adopted for kitchen waste and garden
waste are different. For composting kitchen waste garden pot composting, bio
bin composting and pipe composting can be used

Chapter 2: Materials and Methods

2.1 Materials required:

1. Kitchen waste: It including vegetable waste, fish waste, food waste etc.
waste shall be devoid of plastics, oily materials, bottles and liquefied food
wastes.

2. Bio Bins: Bio bins can be earthen made similar to garden pots,
polypropylene pots or PVC pipes of 200 mm diameter. Micro pores on the
bin walls ensure aeration that facilitates microbial activity. Large garden
pots of one cubic feet can be an alternative, which may be less expensive.
The holes of such pots in the base may be closed using cement mortar.
Different types of bio bins are distributed by the panchayats,
municipalities, and municipal corporations, suitable for processing kitchen
waste.

3. Composting inoculums: cow dung slurry is used as composting inoculum.

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2.2 Methodology

▪ Type of compost - Kitchen waste composting.

▪ Preparation process - Garden pot composting.

Large garden pots (cement/ terracotta) are the simplest and cheapest containers
for kitchen waste composting. The base holes of the pot are closed. At bottom of
the pot a layer of coir pith is spread at one thickness. Above this layer, spread
the kitchen waste of the day. Over this layer, add the cow dung slurry or
composting inoculum. The bin may be covered with a tile or wood plank. This
process of filling and addition of inoculum may be continued daily the moisture
within the bin has to be regulated by spreading coir pith or dry leaves. It may
take 25 to 30 days to fill one pot. Stirring the contents of the pot for a while
accelerates the decomposition process. After 30 to 35 days of last filling, the
compost is taken out.

▪ Harvest - The brown compost in powder form is quality manure that can
be used four nourishing crops including vegetables.

A second pot may be prepared and filled as above subsequently. Care should be
taken to fill the waste on the same day of its generation as the delay may cause
egg laying by flies and contamination by its larvae.

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Chapter 3: Observations and Data Collection

Type and quantity of waste:

▪ Vegetables and fruit peels - 750 gm
▪ Egg shells - 100 gm
▪ Tea or coffee waste - 150 gm
▪ Food waste - kg
▪ Fish waste - 1kg

Weekly Observations:
1. The material required were added to the pot and kept closed under the sun
light.

7. The materials in the pot had under gone a slight change. Small amount of
water was spread at the top of the compost according to the dryness. Mix well to
faster result.

14. The waste materials in the pot started to decay and become dry. So, water is
sprinkled on the top of it.

21. Half part of the waste materials were decayed; onion and garlic peels are
completely decayed. Egg shells are somehow visible.

28. Earth worm can be seen in the manure which helps to faster the decaying
process.

35. The waste materials have completely decayed and the color of the compost
have turned to black and the manure is ready to use.
About 3kg of manure were produced.

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Chapter 4: Photos

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Chapter 5: Discussion

5.1 Advantages of organic manure

▪ Organic manures provide all the nutrients that are required by plants but in
limited quantities.
▪ It helps in maintaining C: N ratio in the soil and also increases the fertility
and productivity of the soil.
▪ It improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil.
▪ It improves both the texture and structure of the soils.
▪ It increases the water holding capacity of the soil.
▪ Due to increase in the biological activities, the nutrients that are in the
lower depth are made available to the plants.
▪ It acts as much, thereby minimizing the evaporation losses of moisture
from the soil.

5.2 Factors Influencing Composting Process

▪ Particle size: If particle is small, the space for the growth of

microorganisms will be more which ultimately increases the microbial
activity and fastened the composting process.
▪ Nutrients: Any waste materials which do not contain heavy metals/toxic
waste should be used. The list of nutrients should be taken in account to
increase the nutrition value of the waste. Preferably, the local waste with
some available agro-waste is always ideal.
▪ Moisture: The total net weight moisture should be maintained 50-60%
which is optimum for microbial growth. Hence, this percentage of
moisture should be maintained throughout process which will increase the
process of decomposition. If the moisture is below 50%, the microbial
activity is less, which results slow down the composting process. If the
moisture is above 60%, the anaerobic condition (clogging) will take place
which also slows down the activity of microorganisms.

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Chapter 6: Conclusion
Composting is easy, and enjoyable and can be done almost anywhere.
Composting is an easy way to deal with problems such as air pollution,
environmental pollution, and other related problems. By composting one can
produce nutrient-rich soil that is beneficial to plants. By doing organic
composting at home, I realized the use and significance of making manures at
home. Even if there are some expenses, it is worth when comparing its benefits.

Composting 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 on all my plants and the
growth was surprising. Since we used organic manures, harvesting was more
than we expected.

Organic manure improves soil quality by modifying soil physical property,

increases biological activities, micro-organism activity, helps in decomposition
of organic matter etc. Organic manure helps plants to quick uptake of nutrients
from soil, increase nutrient availability in soil.

Reduce soil pollution and degradation, improve nutritional security and reduce
many problems related to crop production. Lastly, we can say that application of
organic manure and practice of organic farming has a desirable effect on
sustainable food production.

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Abstract
Organic manures provide all the nutrients that are required by plants but in
limited quantities. It helps in maintaining C: N ratio in the soil and also
increases the fertility and productivity of the soil. It improves the physical,
chemical and biological properties of the soil. It improves both the texture and
structure of the soils. It increases the water holding capacity of the soil. Due to
increase in the biological activities, the nutrients that are in the lower depth are
made available to the plants.

It acts as much, thereby minimizing the evaporation losses of moisture from the
soil. In this MOOC organic farming manure preparation project, manure is
prepared from kitchen waste using garden pot composting method. For this a
garden pot, kitchen waste, coir pith and cow dung slurry are required. The holes
of the pot are to be closed. At the bottom of the pot a thick layer of coir pith is to
be added. Then spread the kitchen waste of the day.

Then add inoculums. Then cover the pot with tile or wood plank. The addition
of inoculums and waste materials should be continued. The moisture content
should be maintained. After 30 to 35 days the manure is ready to use. For
preparing compost waste material such as food waste, vegetable and fruit peels,
egg shell etc. were used. About 3kg of manure were prepared. From these waste
materials. It is also one of the best ways to discharge kitchen waste.

References
• www.wikipedia.org
• Referred Textbook and other materials

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