'Convert organic waste into compost
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 19 2017:
Conversion of the unused farm
and household waste into
compost can reduce 25-30
percent usage of the chemical
fertilizer in the agricultural
fields and help in effective
disposal of waste, said Dr DS
Yadav, Assistant Director,
Regional Centre of Organic
Farming(RCOF).
Dr Yadav said that all
types of organic waste and
weeds can be utilised effectively
for making valuable
compost.
This will not only
help in improving the
economy of the farmers but
also it will help in preventing
contamination of the soil.
Stating that continuous use
of chemical fertilizer degrades
the soil health and subsequently
affects the food chain
causing health hazard, Dr
Yadav claimed that some of
the Indian States are prone to
dreaded diseases such as cancer
due to large scale
consumption of vegetables
produced using chemicals.
Considering such disturbing
aspects in the agriculture
practices, scientists of RCOF
have re-introduced the demonstration
activities of
converting farm and household
waste into compost for a
sustainable development in
Manipur.
In one of their demonstration
activities which was
participated by the a sizeable
number of farmers, Dr Yadav
explained about the potential
of all types of organic waste
and weeds in making valuable
compost and it's
importance in protecting crop
from soil-borne diseases and
pests.
On the other hand, Dr V
Pandey, Junior Scientific officer
shared that use of cow
dung and poultry dropping
apart from using weeds, crop
refuse and other organics
waste will help in making
compost out of farm and
household waste faster.
Dr Pandey observed that
the farmers need to practice
such activities for their
sustainability.
Once they understand,
they will start at
their own as it requires no
machinery or infrastructure.
So far, scientists of RCOF
in association local supporters
including national award
winner farmers have conducted
three such
demonstration activities at
three villages in Imphal West
and Imphal East districts as
part of country wide
Swacchta Pakhwara programme
to educate the
importance of cleanliness and
effective disposal of waste.