The preparation time for a tonne of manure from organic matter has been cut in half by a biocatalyst that speeds up the breakdown process for farmers who are keen to use the manure in crop production.
Wycliffe Kauso of EM Technologie Limited said hastening the conversion process saves farmers time, which is a key component in high production.
“The bio-catalyst ensures that farmers meet manure application timelines by speeding up the decaying process. The natural booster increases the speed of breaking down matter by accelerating increase of temperature form 35 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius within very short time,” he said.
High temperatures are necessary for high microbial activity on the compositing process.
Under normal circumstance, composite manure preparation takes up to three months, but with the EM Composta, the process can be completed in four to six weeks.
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Measurements
One litre of EM Composta can be used to process at least one tonne of green manure. A standard compositing pit is 2m by 4m. I should be one foot deep.
The organic catalyst comprises photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, molasses, and organic matter with the help of Bokashi, a fermented substance.
Kauso said timely application of manure may boost production by up to 50 per cent. Crops will get the required nutrients at the right time, for instance just before forming bulbs.
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Composting and application
The manure also accelerates foliage in vegetative crop like napier grass.
It is also applied to farming fields ahead of cultivation to improve the texture as well as replenishing lost nutrients ahead of planting.
Half litre of EM Composta is dissolved into 25 litres of water. The matter that is to be converted to manure is sliced and arranged into layers in the composting pit.
Shredding too of the matter would speed up the process because of the increased surface area that allows for faster reactions.
Sprinkling is done layer after layer to ensure uniform distribution of the organisms, which will ‘digest’ the matter into fertiliser.
Thorough mixing is done after every layer for the even distribution of the matter being composted. The pit is coved with a soil layer and polythene sheet which will prevent entry of water.
If water enters the pit, it may reduce the temperatures, which are necessary for the decomposition process.
Just like in the ordinary composites, monitoring the process with a rod inserted into the heart of the composite is key.
The composta is available in agrovets and KFAs at Sh300 per litre.
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EM Technologies can be reached via +254735016557