APPENDIX G: Reuse of Organic Waste to Produce Organic Fertilizers

Compost

What is compost?

Compost is an organic fertilizer produced through the decomposition of animal and vegetable and plant wastes. Depending on the local climate, compost can be produced in 2-5 months.

How is compost used?

Compost should be mixed with moist soil before planting.

How do I know if compost is right for me?

Advantages:

• It is an organic fertilizer that does not pollute soils, water, air or the products produced by the plants
• Provides a source of nutrients for crops which are complete and healthy; furthermore, the nutrients are available over a period as long as 3 year
• Knowledge in Peru (in most places) about its use
• Low maintenance
• Encourages the reuse of organic waste

Disadvantages:

• Long production time
• Quality levels vary with the type and amount of materials used
• Avoiding animals and insects during production can be difficult

Preparation of Compost

Materials: Any raw organic waste from plants/vegetables/fruits (NEVER include cooked foods: rice, pasta, cooked vegetables or fatty foods like meat or grease). Some good examples of compost material include:

Carbon: dry leaves, egg shell, straw, saw dust, etc.

Nitrogen: green leaves, manure, feathers, raw veggie peels, etc.

Potassium: ash, peanut shell, banana peels, etc.

Phosphorus: ash, banana peels,

The inclusion of different types of materials and nutrients (achieveing a balance of carbon and nitrogen is especially important) is the most important component of producing good compos. The best manure for composting is that of guinea pigs and rabbits, followed by that of sheep, goats, chicken and horses.

Preparation (NOTE: this is a basic method for making compost, there are many other alternative methods)

1. Find a suitable area with access to water, preferably an area with a fence or an area protected from animals

2.Mix all the organic waste collected, making sure to chop up larger pieces

3.Create a pile of the mixed waste and cover the top with leaves/straw and cover with lime (cal) to avoid insects and rodents (You can also cover the pile with a plastic sack)

4.Lightly water and turn the compost, mixing all the materials, every couple of days to ensure a shorter production time

5.The compost is ready when it is a dark coffee color and emits no strong odors (Depending on the local climate and management of the compost, a small to medium sized compost pile should produce compost every 3-5 months)

6.Be sure to sift the compost after harvest with a piece of mesh wire



Resources:
Huertos Organicos en Peru (Organic Gardening in Peru) 2005. PC Peru Library

Additional Resouces:
Composting Guide: http://www.compostguide.com/
El Compostaje: http://www.infoagro.com/abonos/compostaje.htm
Technology Transfer for Development: Organic Waste; Urban Solid Waste Series. Peace Corps Peru Library
Acciones Ambientales. Peace Corps Peru Library

Vermiculture

What is Vermiculture?

Vermiculture is an intensive form of worm farming whose principal objective is the production of worm excrement (humus), a nutrient rich organic fertilizer. The production of humus normally takes between 3-5 months.

How is humus used?

After production the humus should be stored in a plastic sack, keeping in mind that its moisture needs to be maintained. The humus should be mixed with moist soil before planting.

How do I know if vermiculture is right for me?

Advantages:

• It is an organic fertilizer that does not pollute soils, water, air or the products produced by the plants
• Contains enzymes, hormones and amino acids that increase plant growth and harvest yield and help prevent some illnesses that affect plants. These enzymes, hormones and amino acids stay in the soil for up to several years
• Maintains soil moisture, thus saving water
• Keeps the soil soft and loose, providing plant roots with more oxygen

Disadvantages:

• Requires a moderate level of investment and technical know-how
• Long production time
• Requires a high level of maintenance

Preparation of Humus

Select an appropriate site:
· Close to a water source
· Close to the house or field
· Flat surface

Mixture of worm food: animal manure and organic wastes (fruit and vegetable peels, hay, egg shells, etc)

Proportion of Manure: Organic Waste

Guinea Pig or Rabbit 1: 2
Chicken or Sheep 1: 1 ½
Cow 1:1
Pig or Horse 1 ½ -2: 1

Preparation of the worm food:
1. Form a 10 – 20 cm layer of organic waste in an area of at least 3 m2

2.Add a 5-20 cm layer of animal waste (depending on the type of animal) on top of the organic waste

3.Repeat steps 1 and 2 until there are at least 4 layers, but do NOT exceed 1 meter.

4.Once the bed is formed, water it generously and mix the layers. Repeat this step every 2 or 4 days (depending on the local climate).

The mixture is decomposing if the temperature is above 45 °C.

How do we know the food is ready?
- Lack of strong, unpleasant odor
- Dark black color
- Low temperature (20 o 25 °C)
- Neural pH (6.5 – 7.5)
- Add a couple of worms to a handful of food, if they immediately “dig in” the food mix is ready

Tips:
· The more you water and mix the bed, the faster the decomposition rate
· When watering and mixing, if you squeeze a handful of the mix and a few water drops are produced the moisture level is adequate
· If the mix is too acidic, add lime or ash to decrease the acidity
· If the inside of the mix is cool to the touch, the mix is in the final stage of preparation

Management of the Worm Box: Where the worm food is placed and the worms are raised; Can be made from a variety of materials (stone, wood, adobe, brick, plastic, etc) or simply in piles

1. Spread out the worm food throughout the worm box


2. Place California Red worms (Eisenia foetida) evenly throughout the worm food (about 7,500 – 10,000 worms for an area of 3 x 1 x 0.30 m)


3. Construct a small roof or cover the worm box with hay to protect it from the sun and rain


4. To avoid birds, rodents, lizards, etc construct a small wire mesh covering. If there are ants, cover the outside walls of the box with burnt oil


5. Every month or so add another layer of worm food until the box is filled


6. Lightly water the worm box every 3 or 4 days depending on the climate (never flood the box)

Harvest of Humus: 3 to 5 months depending on the quantity of food, number of worms, climate conditions and management of the worm box (A worm box with the dimensions 3 x 1 x 0.3m will produce about 700 k of humus every 3 – 5 months)

When do we know that the humus is ready for harvest?
- Dark black color
- Granulated texture, like coffee grounds
- Odor of moist soil
- Lack of worm eggs in the mixture
- Reduction in size and weight of worms with a marked tendency to flee

How to carry out the harvest?
1. As a worm trap, place a line of new food in the middle of the box on top of the mixture (height: 15 – 20cm, width: 10 -20cm)
2. After 2 to 4 days, remove the trap with the worms and place a new trap as many times as necessary to retrieve all the worms
3. Place the worms in a container while the humus is harvested
4. Harvest the humus, sift it and store it in plastic sacks for use


Resources:
Huertos Organicos en Peru (Organic Gardening in Peru) 2005. PC Peru Library
Outreach: Materials on Waste and Recycling 1995. PC ICE R0096
Ciudades Saludable: Manejo Sostenible de los Residuos Sólidos en la Ciudad de Carhuaz