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Composts

Organic matter recycling is not a new technology for Indian farmers but a scientific approach for converting low value organic matter into high value organic composts were developed only in the mid of 20th centaury. A huge quantity of crop wastes, residues and animal wastes are always available on a farm. The common practice is to burn plant wastes which not only being an environmental disaster but also a waste of the huge quantity of essential and micronutrients. Properly recycled plant wastes form an excellent compost in one to three months, depending upon the composting process used.

The main composting techniques adopted by Indian farmers are
  1. Green manures (shrubs/plants based):
    Green manuring is an age-old practice for producing organic matter in the field itself. This can be done by sowing seeds of leguminous plants like sun hemp, Daincha, horse gram or beans and turning in the soil at 8-10 weeks of age . Just around flowering (8-10 weeks after sowing), the crop is cut down and mixed into the soil after which the season's main crop is sown. The type of crops depends on the soil type, moisture availability, season and cost of seed. Green manuring is beneficial in two ways - firstly it fixes nitrogen, and secondly the addition of biomass (around five to ten tons/acre) greatly helps in improving the soil texture and water holding capacity.

  2. Normal Composting:
    There is no fixed method of compost making and farmers can always develop their own methods to suit their conditions and needs Methods can be aerobic or anaerobic and above ground or below, though the best way to get high quality compost quickly is to make a heap above the ground. Composts can be fortified using various natural additives and enriched/improved by using Biodynamic and Effective Micro organisms preparations. There are a number of other methods and innovations, adaptations and improvements as always possible. Every farm can choose or even develop a suitable compost process depending upon its own needs and resources, including availability of labour, managerial time and investment potential.

  3. Vermi Composting:
    Vermicomposting is a specialised method of composting by the help of earthworms. Read more

Advantages

  • Improves physical and chemical properties of soil.
  • Improvement of quality and size of produce.
  • Improves water holding capacity and fertility of soil.
  • Provides balanced supply of macro and micronutrients to plants.
  • Act as a media for developing beneficial micro organisms.
  • Gives better crop stand due to increased disease resistance.

Every farm can choose or even develop a suitable compost process depending upon the needs and resources, including availability of labour, managerial time and investment potential. We offer training and consultancy services on composting and vermicomposting, including enrichment techniques, low-cost method and improved methodologies. To know more, please send a mail to info@harithaorganicfarms.com. Our technical experts will contact you for further assistance.