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How to Make Organic Manure from Dry Leaves
Posted 3 months ago
Report on one-day Training Session on:
“How to Make Organic Manure from Dry Leaves” The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC), in collaboration with the NSS Unit No. 52 of UC College, Aluva, organized an interactive session titled “How to Make Organic Manure from Dry Leaves.” The event took place on the 7th of September 2024, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and aimed to educate students on sustainable waste management practices and organic farming.
Session Details:
- Date: 07th September 2024
- Time: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
- Title: How to Make Organic Manure from Dry Leaves
- Resource Person: Dr. Jibin Jose Mathew, Nodal Officer – IEDC UCC
- Staff Coordinator: Dr. Jibin Jose Mathew, Department of Electronics with Computer Technology and Computer Science
Context: The session focused on the transformation of dry leaves into organic fertilizer, a process that offers both environmental and agricultural benefits. Deciduous trees like mahogany, abundant on the college campus, shed their leaves through abscission, especially during the hot summer months. Traditionally, these dry leaves are burned, contributing to air pollution. However, this project encourages the collection and composting of dry leaves, turning them into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer.
Best Practice: Under the initiative “From Campus to Canteen: Cultivating Sustainability Through Organic Farming,” students actively participated in collecting dry leaves from various areas of the campus. These leaves, combined with organic waste from the college canteen, such as food scraps and vegetable peels, as well as cow dung and biomass ash, were composted through a controlled process. This method promotes sustainable waste management, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and contributes to the student-led organic farming efforts on campus.Objective: The primary objective of the session and the overall project was to:
- Reduce the practice of burning dry leaves.
- Promote sustainable waste management.
- Support organic farming initiatives.
- Minimize the reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Intended Outcome: The session aimed to raise awareness about the benefits of dry leaf composting and how it can support organic farming. By educating students and farmers, the initiative helps improve soil health, boost crop yields, and reduce the use of harmful chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. The use of dry leaf compost is recognized as a vital component in fulfilling the needs of organic farming on campus.Evidence of Success: The success of the project is assessed through several key factors:
1. Performance Against Targets: The project set goals to divert a significant percentage of dry leaves from being burned and instead produce a specified amount of organic fertilizer. Performance metrics include the quantity of dry leaves collected, the quality of compost produced, and the reduction in leaf-burning incidents.
2. Promotion of Sustainable Practices: By demonstrating the use of dry leaf compost, the project successfully minimized the use of chemical fertilizers, emphasizing sustainable waste management and its importance in organic farming.
3. Benchmarking and Community Feedback: The project benchmarked its compost quality and waste diversion rates against established standards. Positive community feedback highlighted the effectiveness of the initiative in achieving its goals and making a tangible impact on the campus.
Student Involvement and Future Sessions: During the training program, students expressed a strong interest in further workshops. They requested follow-up sessions focusing on paper bag-making and the marketing of organic manure in the coming weeks. Following the session, a small discussion was held in the IEDC Room under the guidance of Dr. Jibin Jose Mathew, and Dr. Ajalesh B. Nair, NSS Coordinator of UC College where future programs were discussed, and suggestions were collected from the executive members.
Conclusion: The session was a significant step toward fostering sustainable practices within the college community, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to contribute to a greener campus. The success of this initiative underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting organic farming and environmental sustainability.
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