MASSIVE ONLINE OPEN COURSE (MOOC) ON

ORGANIC FARMING–PROJECT REPORT II

ORGANIC MANURE MAKING

Submitted to

MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY, KOTTAYAM

Submitted by

SHONE PHILIPS THOMAS

Register Number :200021075995

B.com Computer Application

2020-2023

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

St.Paul’s College, Kalamassery

(AFFILIATED TO MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY, KOTTAYAM)

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this project report on “Organic manure making” is

an authentic record of work carried out by SHONE PHILIPS THOMAS,
student of ST.PAUL’S COLLEGE, KALAMASSERY as part of MOOC
course on Organic Farming offered by Mahatma Gandhi University,
Kottayam.

Name of teacher Name of teacher

Ms. Teresa Stephan Dr. Asha E. Thomas
Mentor Head of the Department

Department of Commerce St.Paul's College, Kalamassery

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

No creation in this world is a solo affect, neither this project. It would not have
been possible without the kind support and help of many individuals. We take
this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of them. First and foremost, we
sincerely thank GOD ALMIGHTY, for his grace for the successful completion
of this project.

We extent our sincere thanks to Dr. Savitha K S, Principal of St.Paul's College,

Kalamassery for providing with all the necessary facilities.
We are highly indebted to Dr. Asha E. Thomas, Head of the Department of
commerce and our respected mentor Ms. Teresa Stephan, Department of
commerce for providing us their valuable guidance and encouragement.
We have immense pleasure in expressing our sincere gratitude to all other
teachers in the department who helped us in completing the project.

I would like to thank to my parents, friends and all those who have been
instrumental in the successful completion of the project.

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 CONTENTS

Chapter Description Page no:

1. Introduction 5
2. Materials and Methods 6-7
3 Observations and Data collection 8
4. Photos 9-10
5. Discussion 11
6. Cost Benefit Analysis 12
7. Conclusion 13
Abstract 14
References 15

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 CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION

Organic manures are natural products used by farmer to provide food for the
crop plants.Organic manure making is the process of converting household and
kitchen waste into valuable manure. Through this process, we can turn kitchen
waste into something useful. It is our responsibility to process the waste
generated by us. Kitchen waste can be converted into organic manure through
different methods. Organic is made from natural products. Inoculums, cow
dung, and sawdust were used alternatively for faster decomposition. Per capita
waste generation in India is estimated at around 500g per day. A nuclear family
of 4-5 members generates 2 to 2.5 kg of waste per household. Organic waste
generated at household levels can be processed at the source itself.
Decentralized waste processing is more practical and cost- effective than
centralized one. It is the responsibility of each individual to process the waste
generated by her/him. As result, the soil becomes:

• Becomes more resistant to stresses such as drought, disease, and toxicity.

• Help the crop in improved the uptake of plant nutrients.
• Possesses an active nutrient cycling capacity because of vigorous
microbial activity.

Examples of naturally occurring organic fertilizers include manure, slurry,

worm castings, peat, seaweed and guano. Green manure crops are also grown
to add nutrients to the soil.

Examples of manufactured organic fertilizers include compost, bloodmeal,

bone meal and seaweed extracts.

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 CHAPTER-2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Location of the college & student

Location of college: Kalamassery, Ernakulam

Location of student: Kalamassery, Ernakulam

2.2 Project Theme

Composting is a biological process in which microorganisms of aerobic and

anaerobic decompose organic matter. Conversion of organic waste generated
at the household level to useful materials like manure is the theme of the project
Kitchen waste and garden waste, generated on a daily basis are to be processed
and converted into compost by using appropriate methods.

2.3 Methodology

The composting processes adopted for kitchen waste and garden waste are
different. I have adopted kitchen waste composting.

2.3.1 Kitchen waste

Add kitchen waste like fruit peels, vegetables, eggshells, coffee or tea powder
to a container (bucket, drum, terracotta pot). For a continuous cycle, Vani
suggests maintaining two containers so that if one is filled, you can continue
the process in the other. Arrange for the browns like dry shredded leaves,
sawdust or cocopeat to control the moisture and add them to the wet garbage.
Arrange for microbes to break down the wet waste. Either get microbes from
semi-done compost or generate a fresh patch by adding cow dung. You can
also add buttermilk to kickstart the microbial colony. In aerobic composting,
providing oxygen is very crucial for a smell-free composting cycle and to avoid
crawlies like maggots. Either you can composting will prepare manure in 40-
45 days. All you have to do is keep adding kitchen we perforated holes in your
container or churn the pile of waste once every four days.

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2.3.2 Materials used

 Bucket/pot
 Kitchen waste
 Vegetable waste
 Food waste
 Cow dung
 Soil

2.3.3 Composting process

 Wash and disinfect your garden pot.

 Choose an area of the garden that is out of the way that no one will walk
on.
 Dig a hole in the soil the size of the pot in the soil.
 Place the garden pot in the hole and backfill the soil around the sides of
the pot.
 Fill the pot with a mix of food scraps, fall leaves, and straw or sugar cane
mulch.
 Over this layer, add the composting inoculum @ 5 g per kg of bio waste.
 Mix the ingredients together and place a piece of cardboard, or a tile
piece on top.
 This process of filling and addition of inoculum may be continued daily.
 The moisture within the pipe has to be regulated by spreading dry leaves.
 It takes 25 to 40 days to fill one pipe.
 After 40 to 50 days of the last filling, the compost is taken out.

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CHAPTER-3 OBSERVATIONS AND DATA COLLECTION

 On the first day, the bottom of the pot was layered with dried leaves and
papers at a thickness of 1inch. Then kitchen waste was filled. Above this,
waste decomposer was added. The pot is covered with a tile.
 From the next day onwards, added daily kitchen waste and waste
decomposer was added.
 The same process continued till the compost was ready.
 Dried leaves are used more when there is excess water content.
 The compost was ready within 40– 50 days.

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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 minimising 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.
 Aeration and Agitation: For the growth and activity of microorganism,
oxygen supply is most essential part. Any process to be adopted only to ensure
the oxygen supply. The agitation, turning by any tools or by means of aero
tilling may be used.

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 CHAPTER-6 COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

 The bin used here was not purchased, it was a useless bin in my home.
 Dried leaves, papers, and kitchen waste were made available from my
home.
 The composting inoculum used here is the cow dung slurry that I brought
from nearby house.
 The compost once produced can also be used as inoculum. So here
money was not required for me.

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 CHAPTER-7 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 realised 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.

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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 minimising 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 his 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.

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 REFERENCES

• www.google.com
• www.wikipedia.org
• Textbooks and other articles

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