MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSE ON ORGANIC FARMING

JAIVA KRISHI: ARIVUM PADANAVUM

PROJECT REPORT
Submitted to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY

Submitted by: -
Name: Juliet Chachamma Paul
University Registration Number: 210021044124
College: Kristu Jyoti College of Management and Technology, Changanaserry
 CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE

1 Introduction

2 Materials And Methods

3 Observation And Data Collection

4 Photo Gallery

5 Cost Benefit Analysis

6 Conclusion

7 Abstract
 CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION

Fertilizer is the most important component that the plant uses in its growth and
development. Natural fertility of the soil takes a hundred years to form. Some decayed
plants and animals are sources of organic fertilizer. By definition, organic fertilizers are
derived from animal or vegetable matter, compost manure. In contrast, the majority of
fertilizer is extracted from minerals (phosphate rock) or produced industrially (ammonia).
Naturally occurring organic matter/organic fertilizers include animal waste from meat
processing, peat, manure, slurry and guano. Organic farming produces nutrient rich, fertile
soil, which nourishes the plants. Keeping chemicals off the land protects water quality and
wild life.
Organic farming gives benefits to man and to all living organisms in order to
achieve high production in vegetable farming and to add nutrients to the soil. Bone meal and
blood meal are two fertilizer options that come from natural sources, enriching soil with
nitrogen and phosphorous. Blood meal is a natural way to boost all-important nitrogen
levels in the soil. Without nitrogen, plants simply cannot grow. Scott (2004) said that blood
meal is one of the richest non-synthetic sources of nitrogen, which is a crucial component of
plant cells and one of the basic components of chlorophyll, the substance that helps plants
convert sunlight into sugars.

Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils,

ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to
local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture
combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote
fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.

Organic fertilizers are naturally available mineral sources that contain moderate amount of
plant essential nutrients. They are capable of mitigating problems associated with synthetic
fertilizers. They reduce the necessity of repeated application of synthetic fertilizers to
maintain soil fertility. They gradually release nutrients into the soil solution and maintain
nutrient balance for healthy growth of crop plants. They also act as an effective energy
source of soil microbes, which in turn improve soil structure and crop growth. Organic
fertilizers are generally thought to be slow releasing fertilizers and they contain many trace
elements. They are safer alternatives to chemical fertilizers. However, the improper use of
organic fertilizers leads to over fertilization or nutrient deficiency in the soil. Hence,
controlled release of organic fertilizers is an effective and advanced way to overcome these
impacts and maintain sustainable agriculture yield.

Organic fertilizers comprise a variety of plant-derived materials that range from fresh or
dried plant material to animal manures and litters to agricultural by-products. The nutrient
content of organic fertilizers varies greatly among source materials, and readily
biodegradable materials make better nutrient sources.
Nitrogen and phosphorus content is lower, often substantially lower, in organic fertilizers
compared to chemical fertilizers. Moisture is another factor that reduces or dilutes the
nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of organic fertilizers. Thus, it can be cost
ineffective to transport high-moisture organic fertilizer long distances. However, use of
locally available sources is perfectly reasonable if its use is consistent with the production
strategy.

Nutrient value of animal manures is more variable than that of agricultural by-products.
The animal's diet, the use and type of bedding material, manure age, and how it was stored
are factors that affect manure nutrient value; these factors can vary seasonally on and
among farms, and regionally or on a larger geographic scale. In contrast, nutrient content of
agricultural by-products is less variable but can be affected by the industrial process used to
produce the by-product. However, it always is advisable to analytically determine the
nutrient content of the organic fertilizer.

Organic fertilizer is an essential source of plant nutrients and soil. Organic fertilizers differ
from chemical fertilizers in that they provide nutrients for your plants while creating
healthy soil. They are considered a greener option. The nutrient elements contained in
organic fertilizer are mostly in their inorganic state, so it is difficult for crops to use them
directly. Through the action of microorganisms, varieties of nutrient elements are released
slowly to provide nutrients to plants continuously. Organic products are ideal for the
landscape, because they feed the soil, creating a sustaining environment. Healthy soil leads
to healthy plants. However, when you garden organically, you do much more than nourish
your plants. As in nature, organic soil alive with microbes and fungi releases nutrients
slowly to plants. By enriching the soil with organic supplements and encouraging the
growth of naturally occurring beneficial organisms, you give your plants the tools they
need to access nutrients in the soil and the strength to protect themselves from harmful
pathogens and pests. Take the natural approach and amend with soil conditioners, such as
earthworm castings, which add organic matter, including humic acid and desirable
microorganisms to your garden soil. This helps make soil borne nutrients, such as iron,
more available to plants.
 Significance of Organic Fertilizer
With the continuous development of modern agriculture, the role of organic fertilizers in
agricultural production is becoming more and more important. Agricultural products grown
with organic fertilizers have good taste and can effectively maintain the unique nutrition and
flavor of fruits and vegetables, and play a pivotal role in the protection and improvement of
the soil environment. Therefore, it is necessary for us to apply and understand organic
fertilizers.

Nowadays, there is a phenomenon in agricultural production that on one side, excessive use
of chemical fertilizers brings soil acidification and eutrophication of water bodies, and on
the other side, improper accumulation of livestock and poultry manure causes pollution. We
replace chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers, so that the combination of agriculture
and animal husbandry live more closely, the use of livestock and poultry manure, but also to
improve the quality of agricultural products, which is a multi-beneficial.

Soils with large amounts of the organic matter remain loose and light, retain more water and
nutrients, promote the growth of soil microorganisms, thereby improving plant health, and
root development. Organic fertilizers are widely used for vegetables (tomatoes, lettuce,
cucumber), fruits (strawberries, grapes, citrus), cash crops (grass, flowers, cannabis) etc.
 The Principal Role of Organic Fertilizer on soil properties
As a key component of agricultural sustainability, organic fertilizer contributes greatly to
improving soil fertility. Therefore, the objective of this review is to revise the role of
organic fertilizer on agricultural product and productivity. The newly sourced artificial
fertilizer has short-term benefit, but it has severe long-term side effects such as soil toxicity
and declination of soil fertility. Afterward, the idea of organic farming was acceptable to
developed organic agriculture system. The use of organic fertilizers has different kinds of
advantages such as being cheap, improving soil structure, texture and aeration, increasing
the soil’s water retention abilities and stimulating healthy root development. Organic
fertilizer has many sources such as minerals, animals, sewage sludge and plant. Vegetables,
animals and other residue has a contribution to improve organic matter content in soil.
Therefore, it is recommended that using integrated nutrient management is a continuous
improvement of soil productivity on long-term basis through appropriate use of organic
fertilizers (animal manure, plants residue and sewage sludge) and their scientific
management for increments of optimum growth, yield and quality of different crops.

Pros and Cons of Organic Fertilizer

Pros: -
 Boost both nutrient efficiency and organic matter content in the soil.
 It improves water movement into the soil and, in time, add structure to the soil. Organics
feed beneficial microbes, making the soil more comfortable to work.
 Enhanced soil fertility and improved soil texture, drainage and aeration.
 It can help the soil continuously condition and rejuvenate thereby improving soil texture,
drainage, and aeration.
 Enhance the quality attributes of produce as well as yield. It contains a large number of
nutrients needed by plants, which provide relatively smooth and lasting nutrients to plants
and have a long after-effect.
 They are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.
 It does not contain harmful chemicals that contribute to the pollution and contamination of
water and land.

Cons:-
Before nutrients can be released into the soil, microorganisms need to break down the organic
components. As organisms need suitable temperature and sufficient water to do their jobs, the
effectiveness of organic fertilizers is limited by these factors. So organic fertilizers may take
much longer to take effect than chemical fertilizers. However, please be patient, when microbial
population re-establish themselves, organic fertilizers will be faster and more efficient.
 CHAPTER- 2
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Location
College Place: Kristu Jyoti College of Management and Technology, Changanaserry, Kottayam.
Student Place: Chethipuzha, Changanaserry, Kottayam

Method Selected for Composting

Bin Composting: Bio bins are the earthen made similar to garden pots, polypropylene pots. Bins
are usually made from recycled plastic and can come in different shapes—from square to
cylindrical. All options have a lid to cover the container. These bins are a good cold-composting
choice for urban and suburban locations. They do, however, present some difficulties. They cannot
be used for hot composting, for example, because the closed bin makes it difficult to maintain the
required temperature. The containers also hold a limited volume of material.

Sources of Waste
 Fruits and vegetables waste

 Crushed eggshells

 Coffee grounds and filters

 Tea bags

 Houseplants

 Neem leaves

 Kitchen wastes

 Sawdust

 Wood chips

 Hen waste

 Fish waste

 Fireplace ashes

NB: Plastic, battery, oily materials, bottles and liquefied food waste should be avoided.

Material Used for Composting

 Bio Bins and Garden pots
Time taken for Composting
After completing all the steps for composting, an enriched compost manure will be received after
40-65 days.

Weather Conditions Prevailed

The changes occurring in weather conditions do not affect the composting process. Composting
process can be done either during summer or monsoon season. I had initiated the composting
process during summer season. The materials required for making the compost has been kept close.
The changes in weather conditions do not affect the composting process.

Composting Process
In this process, three pots are used: -
 First, collect the household waste, both dry and wet, from the kitchen. Leftovers of food,
fruit peels, and tea bags are wet waste whereas dry leaves, paper are dry waste.
 Secondly, put both these wastes into two different containers in the kitchen. When the wet
waste container is full, put its contents into the first compost pot.
 Then add dry leaves of the same quantity as the waste and semi-composted material,
buttermilk or cow dung to start with the decomposition process.
 Turn the pile around every other day. Keep the pile at the right level of dampness. If it is
too wet, add dry leaves, stir, and if it is too dry add water and stir.
 Once it is full, leave the pot open for 30-45 days for the composition to happen. Then move
the semi-composted matter into a larger container or bin.
 After 45-60 days of the last filling, the compost is taken out.
 CHAPTER -3
OBSERVATIONS AND DATA COLLECTIONS

Table 1: Process of Garden pot filling

POT DATE OF KITCHEN WASTE DRY WASTE

POT
FILLING
Types Approx. Types Approx.
weight weight

1 10/01/2023 Vegetable waste 500g Dry leaves 600g

and fish waste

2 10/01/2023 Banana peel 3 Newspaper 2

sheets

3 11/01/2023 Egg shell and Rice 500g Milk Cartons 2 pieces

water
Table 2: Observation on the composting process

Sl. Data First Day After 7 After 14 After 21 Final Day

No. Collected 10/01/23 Days Days Days 20/02/23
17/01/23 24/01/23 31/01/23

1 Color Mixed Brown Greyish Dark Brown

Brown Brown Black

2 Consistency Wet And Solid Dry Slurry Crusty Like Soil

and nature Dry

3 Smell Yes No No No Soil Smell

4 Moisture Moist Moist Moist Dry Dry

5 Observed Yes No No No No
Ants/House
Flies

6 Approx. 1.5 Kg
Total
Weight
 CHAPTER- 4
PHOTO GALLERY
 CHAPTER 5
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
The whole project was performed with no investment. Most of the things were available
nearby. As bins were not available here, I have used garden pots. Cow dung was brought
from nearby houses. This brings a clear understanding that organic fertilizers can be
generated and that we can cultivate organic vegetables in our home itself. By making the
organic manure there is no loss because most of the materials used are easily available at my
house. The project requires some sort of physical hard work, which made us familiar with
our nature.
 CHAPTER-6
CONCLUSION
Composting is easy, enjoyable and can be done almost anywhere. Composting is an easy way
to deal with problems such as air pollution, environment pollution and other related problems.
By composting, one can produce nutrient rich soil that are beneficial to plants.
By doing organic composting as a project at home, I realized the use and significance of
making manures at home with zero investment. 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 contain various
micronutrients 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 we have
people to help & guide us.
I used the produced compost for all my plants and the growth was surprising. Since we used
organic manure, harvest was more than we expected.
 CHAPTER-7
ABSTRACT
Organic manure is good for both our crops and soil. As the population increases, wastes per
sector also increases. So as an initiative to decrease the waste in an effective way, zero waste
management programs are implemented. For small-scale gardening in our home, setting up a
bio compost is highly recommended. I was also able to learn more about organic manure and
composting process through the MOOC course given by MG University. This compost
making was a good experience as well as very enjoyable.