AGRICULTURAL WASTES COMPOSTING

This technology was first introduced to Thai farmers in 2004 by the author. It has since been implemented by at least 415 farmer groups which have found it to be suitable for group working and achieved compost with N, P2O5 and K2O in the ranges of 2.0-3.5, 0.4-0.6, and 0.4-0.6, respectively. The cost of produced compost is USD 20 per metric ton while the market price is USD 115 per ton. Most of it, however, is distributed among the group members. It has helped farmers to significantly lower dependence on chemical fertilizer and, hence, mitigate costs. Plant residues from the agricultural sector have been used as raw material instead of being burnt that polluting the environment as before. Agricultural wastes which can be used as raw material include corn wastes, rice straws, soybeans, dried and fresh leaves, garlic peels, vegetables scraps, and sawdust from mushroom production. Animals manure used are those of horses, elephants, chicken, and cow. No significant difference of the nutrients is found in the produced compost.