Basic steps in Compost Production

  

1.Selection of a site

Selection of a site is based on following factors.

·                  Availability of Raw materials

·                  Availability  of Irrigation facilities

(Important-Site should not be in the close vicinity to drinking water well)

2.Preparation of the selected site

• Choose a shaded and well- drained area.
• Site should be well cleaned by removing stones and unwanted materials should be removed.
• Level the site.
  
  

3.Collection of raw materials

Following locally available raw materials can be used.

Straw,Green leaves,Crop residues,Weeds,Banana leaves,Banana trunk,Salvenia,

Sow dust,Vegetable peeling,Animal waste ( Cow-dung, Poultry manure),decayed

                  fruits and vegetables.

1.Pit method

·          Normal size of a pit – length-10 m , width- 5m  , height- 70 cm

·          Size can be adjusted according to the availability of materials.

·          Bottom of the pit should have a slight angle to avoid the retention of the water.

·          Open of the pit should have height about 15cm from the ground level in order to prevent the rain water flowing in to the pit.

·          Pit should be located in a suitable place where irrigation and transportation (easy accessibility) facilities are available.

·          Keep a space in the one side of the pit for easy  mixing of the raw materials.

Procedure

·          Cut the composting materials in to small pieces(10-15cm).

·          Loosen the soils in the bottom of the pit and stand 4 stakes about 80 cm height in the upright position.

·          Lay raw materials on the bottom up to 10-15 cm height.

·          Lay a thin compost layer (inoculants) on that layer.

·          Arrange about 7 layers following the same procedure.

·          Use followings to fill up the layers.

·       1^st  layer- weeds or tree loping or leaf fall

·      2 ^nd layer -green leaves, grass or Salvenia

·      Add water (only if raw materials do not contain sufficient moisture).

·      Add  small amount of inoculants.(compost or decomposed garbage)

·      3^rd layer -banana leaves

·      4^th layer -leaf fall

·      5^th layer- animal waste

·      Add inoculants again

·      6^th layer - pieces of chopped banana trunk

·      7^th layer - leaves

·      Then add again small amount of inoculants.

·          Finally add enough water and cover the top most layer with a thin soil layer(covering material)

·          After 3 days remove the four stakes which were inserted in the pit.

·          1^st  turning- after 14 days.

·          2^nd turning –after 30 days.

·          3^rd turning-after 60 days.

·          While turning add water only if the moisture is insufficient.

·          After 90 days compost can be used for the cultivations.

Important

·   Every 4-5 days interval open the cover and check the moisture content by inserting a pole in to the compost pit. If moisture content is not enough add enough water and cover the pit again.