Produce

PRODUCE ORGANIC FERTILIZER

(Leading to ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION NC-ll

Learning Outcome
1. Prepare Composting
Area and Raw Materials

2. Compost and Harvest Fertilizer

LO-1: PREPARE COMPOSTING AREA RAW MATRIALS

o What is Organic Fertilizer?

• Any product in solid or liquid form, of plant ( not by-products from petroleum industries) or
animal origin, that has undergone substantial decomposition that can supply available nutrients
to plants with a total Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P2O5) and Potassium (K20) of five to ten
percent (5-10%).
• This may be enriched with microbial inoculants and naturally occurring minerals but no
chemical or inorganic fertilizer materials has been used in the production or added to the
finished product to affect the nutrient content.
• Refer: PNS/BAFS 183:2016
Important Things to Consider for the Production of
Organic Fertilizer?

• Consider the target volume of production

• Consider area with minimal sunlight / shaded site
• Good drainage
Characteristics of A Good Composting Site?
• Good drainage system
• Availability of water supply
• Proximity to the source of raw materials
• Accessibility of the composting site
• Free from contamination
• Area with minimal sunlight
• The site must have sufficient area for the volume of manure to be composted and
should have sufficient area for the future expansion.
• Consideration should be given to the space required for operation of the equipment at
the site.
• Take into account the impact on the farm residence and any neighboring residence.
Basic Compost Science
• Composting is a manage
process which utilizes
microorganisms naturally
present in organic matter and
soil to decomposed organic
materials.
• Microorganisms require Carbon
for energy and Nitrogen for
Protein Synthesis in order to
grow and multiply.
 List of allowed raw materials as inputs for Organic
Fertilizer production
• Farm animal manure, slurry, and animal urine
• Vermicompost
• Compost produced from organic residues
• Green manure and green leaf manure
• Azolla
• Mulches from sugarcane, trash, straw, etc.
• Kitchen waste
• Coir pith, plantation by products and wastes
• Mushroom beds
• Oil cakes, milled by-products, etc.
• Tea/coffee grounds
• Fish and fish products without preservatives
• Seaweeds
• Crop residues (straw, peanut hulls, etc.)
• Microbial preparations (i.e. Trichoderma, Rhizobia,
Mycorrhizae, others) of non-GMO origin.
 Determine the characteristics of a good composting
site
Separation distances are necessary in order to minimize potential environmental
conflicts between non-compatible land uses, to minimize odor related problems and
to ensure the integrity of groundwater systems.
Separation Distance

Neighboring Properties

Dwelling 400 m

Commercial Building 300 m

Industrial Building 300 m

Farm 100 m
Determine the characteristics of a good composting site
Separation Distance
Watercourses
Rivers/Stream 150m
Private well 150m
Lakes 300m

• Shall not be located in areas subject to flooding and where seasonal high groundwater
table is less than 1 meter from the ground water table or where depth to bedrock is less
than 1.5 meter.
Determine the characteristics of a good composting site

Shall not be located within a protected watershed as defined by the

Clean Water Act.
Shall be located on a surface with a slope of between 1% and 6%.
Must be approved by the development office of a municipality or the
state.
What Are the Basic Raw Materials for Composting?
Carbon Materials (Brown materials)

Ex. Rice straw, corn stalks, sugar cane bagasse, dried leaves / weeds,
sawdust)

Nitrogen Materials (Green materials but not necessarily all green)

Ex. Animal manure, leguminous plants, fresh plant residues, kitchen

wastes
Common Sources Raw Materials for Composting

AGRICULTURAL WASTE

This is one of the major sources of raw

materials for organic fertilizer
production. This includes crop residues,
animal manure, grasses, and other plant
residues that could be found in the
farm.
Common Sources Raw Materials for Composting

CROP RESIDUES
Common Sources Raw Materials for Composting

FARM MANURE

Farm manure can be a cheap source of

plant nutrients and a valuable soil
amendment to improve soil quality.
Common Sources Raw Materials for Composting

AGRI-INDUSTRIAL WASTES
These wastes are generated as by-product of agricultural crop
processing. These are also valuable source of raw materials in the
production of organic fertilizer.
Eg.
1. Sugarcane bagasse
2. Rice hull
3. Carbonized rice hull
4. Coir dust
Common Sources Raw Materials for Composting

HOUSEHOLD AND MARKET WASTES

Common Sources Raw Materials for Composting

OTHER SOURCES OF RAW

MATERIALS
PNS Guidelines in the Use of Raw Materials for
Composting
LO2: COMPOST AND HARVEST
FERTILIZER
What is a COMPOST?
• It is a natural rich soil-like material created by the biological
decomposition of organic materials such as vegetative debris
and livestock manures. It is a very low cost organic fertilizer
made by the farmer himself.
• Compost is one of the most energy efficient and green ways
of improving the quality of the soil on a permaculture plot.
• It avoids wastage by transforming refuse from the garden
and the kitchen into nutrient-rich humus that that when
added to soil will provide the plants growing in it a plentiful
supply of the nutrients they need to grow, thrive and set
abundant crops.
 Benefits of Compost
• Compost improves the quality of soil, and for this reason it is considered as
a soil conditioner.
• It contains variety of the basic nutrients required for the healthy growth of
plants.
• In addition to, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, certain micronutrients
viz. manganese, copper, iron and zinc, also found in compost which helps
them to control diseases and insects.
• Compost improves the structure and texture of the soil enable them to
retain nutrients, moisture and air for betterment of growth of plants.
• Improves manure handling
• Help reduce manures environmental impact.
Why Compost
• Composting is a naturally fit for farmers who cannot buy fertilizers.
• Efficient management of the biological decomposition of organic
matter.
• All the basic ingredients are available in the farm, i.e. stock and
bulking materials to thicken free.
 Advantages of Composting
• Increase the level of organic matter in soil which has a
positive effect on the soil organism, soil structure,
infiltration, water retention capacity and aggregate
stability.
• Rich in nutrients that are readily available to plants.
• Diseases and pest, as well as weed seeds are destroyed
because of its high temperature.
Disadvantages of Composting
• Labor intensive
• Organic materials are scarce
• Can attract vermin
• It stinks
Microorganisms involved in composting
1. Bacteria- a smallest living organisms and the most numerous
compost
2. Actinomycetes- earthy smell of soil is caused by actinomycetes
3. Fungi- decomposition of many complex plants polymers in the soil
and compost
4. Protozoa- one celled microscopic animals
5. Rotifers- microscopic multicellular organisms found in films of water
6. Earthworm- the most important physical decomposers in compost
pile.
FORMULATION OF COMPOST
FERTILIZER
1. Collect 100 kgs of shredded farm waste materials that has essential
elements needed for plants.
2. Calculate for the C/N ratio. The ideal C/N ratio must be 30:1.
3. Mix and spray IMO/EMAS with 29L of water or 30L solution.
4. Build a pile of not less than 60 cm. height.
5. Cover the pile with a plastic/tarpaulin sheet.
6. Open after 3 days
7. Add and mix 100 kg pure soil taken from the same farm
8. Spray FAA while mixing (500 ml FAA with 15 liters water)
9. Cover and open after 3 days
10. Add and mix 100kgs of pig manure and 40 kg rice hull
11. Spray FAA/CALPHOS/FFJ while mixing (300 ml=100 ml FAA,
100 ml CALPHOS, and 100 ml FFJ with 15L water)
12. Cover and open in 3 days
13. Spray as in item #10 everyday thereafter until 12 days
14. Wait until the temperature is lowered down
15. Pack the mixture in a plastic bag, Ready to use
 FORMULATION OF ORGANIC
FERTILIZER
1. Mix to bags of D2 rice bran (100 kg) with 30 liters of IMO solution (1
liter IMO with 29 liters of water)
2. Cover with canvass
3. Open after 3 days and mix with 200 kgs of pig manure/chicken
manure/cow manure/carabao manure.
4. Spray with 30 liters FAA solution (1 liter FAA with 29 liters of water)
5. Cover and open after 3 days
6. Add and mix 100 kgs pure soil from the same farm
7. Spray with 30 liters FAA/FFJ/CALPHOS solution (200 ml FAA/200 ml
FFJ/100 ML CALPHOS with 29 liters of water)
8. Cover and open for 3 days
9. Spray 15 liters solution of FAA/FFJ/ (250 ml FAA and 250 ml FFJ with 15
liters of water)
10. Repeat item #9 everyday for 5 days.
11. Add and mix 100 kgs carbonized rice hull (CRH)- optional but you can
have the best fertilizer if you continue until item #17.
12. Spray as in item #4
13. Cover and open after 3 days
14.Add and mix 100 kg vermicast
15. Spray 30 liters of solution with IMO and FAA (500 ml IMO and 500 ml
FAA)
16. Cover and open after 3 days or when it cools down.
17. Ready to use or pack in a plastic bag.
Foliar Fertilizer Formulation
• With Growth Hormone
• With insect and disease control properties
Foliar Fertilizer Formulation
Materials:
• Trash Fish- 5 kgs
• Muscovado or Kinugay or Molasses- 5 kgs
• Cooked rice or corn grits- 2 kgs
• Herbal mix (garlic, ginger, hot pepper)- 3 kgs
• Aloe vera- 1 kgs
• Probiotics (IMO)- 5 ml
• Vinegar- 2 gallons
• Plastic container with cover- 5 gallons capacity
• Other herbal plants that may be added: Hagonoy, Panyawan- 2 kgs
Procedure
1. Chop, grind or pound solid materials like fish and herbal mix.
2. Place all the above ingredients in the plastic container and mix.
3. Cover the container with cheesecloth or manila paper and tie securely.
4. Let it ferment for 15 to 30 days
5. Mix materials from time to time (every 5 days)
6. Gather the fermented juice and place in the bottles or plastic
container.
7. Cover tightly and store in dry cool and dark place until needed for use.
Use
• This will serve as foliar
fertilizer, insect repellent and
fungicide.
• For foliar spray mix the juices
to 1 gallon water or
• 1 liter juice to 100 liters of
water.
Apply Foliar Fertilizer
- Plant absorb nutrients through the roots and through the
foliage.
- Smaller quantities of the fertilizer material are required than
when applying to the soil.
- Nutrients applied to the foliage are generally absorbed more
rapidly than when applied to the soil.
Determine the similarities and differences between
basal and foliar fertilizers
BASAL FERTILIZER. It refers to spreading fertilizers uniformly all over the
field. Suitable for crops with dense stand, the plant roots permeate the whole
volume of the soil, large doses of fertilizers are applied and insoluble phosphatic
fertilizers such as rock phosphate are used.

FOLIAR FERTILIZER. Foliar feeding is a technique of feeding plants by

applying liquid fertilizer directly to their leaves. Plants are able to absorb essential
elements through their leaves. The absorption takes place through their stomata
and also through their epidermis.
Determine the application and relevance of Carbon and
Nitrogen (C/N) ratio
Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is a ratio of the mass of carbon to the mass
of nitrogen in a substance. It can, amongst other things, be used in
analyzing sediments and compost.

For microorganisms, carbon is the basic building block of life and is

a source of energy, but nitrogen is also necessary for such things as
proteins, genetic material, and cell structure.
Determine the application and relevance of Carbon and
Nitrogen (C/N) ratio
Balance of C:N is the key to a good organic fertilizer formulation
Decomposition of organic materials in the compost is greatly increased when the
proper balance between carbonaceous materials (called BROWN because they are
dry) and nitrogen-rich materials (called GREEN because they are more fresh and
moist).
The balance is referred to as the Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio.
For best performance, the compost pile, or more to the point the composting
microorganisms, require the correct proportion of Carbon for energy and Nitrogen
for protein production.
Determine the application and relevance of Carbon and
Nitrogen (C/N) ratio
- Compost scientists have determined that the fastest way to produce
fertile, sweet-smelling compost is to maintain a C:N ratio somewhere
around 25 to 30 parts Carbon to 1 part Nitrogen, or 25-30:1.

- If the C:N ratio is too high (excess Carbon), decomposition slows

down.

- If the C:N ratio is too low (excess nitrogen) you will end up with a
stinky pile.
Determine the application and relevance of Carbon and
Nitrogen (C/N) ratio
 Determine the application and relevance of Carbon and
Nitrogen (C/N) ratio
Calculating the C/N

Grass Clippings Cattle Manure Leaves (Compacted and

Moist)
C/N 17 C/N 19
Qty 10 Qty 10 C/N 54
Qty 10

C : N =¿ ¿
N =30 : 1
BOKASHI
FERILIZER
• Is a fermented mixture of solid organic
materials acted upon by beneficial
microorganisms to release nutrients
that are important for crops.
• When applied to soil, the
microorganisms help to restore soil life
and minimize incidences of crop
diseases thus producing healthy crops
with vigorous growth and high yields.
Advantage of Using BOKASHI
• Has no longer danger as the direct use of other fertilizer.
• It is rich source of crop nutrients and contributes to soil
fertility improvement and restoration of soil microorganism.
• It increase the organic matter content in the soil thus
improving its retention capacity.
Preparing Bokashi
Fertilizer
Materials:
1 sack chicken manure
½ sack charcoal (CRH)
1 sack of saw dust
2 liters molasses
2 liters IMO
1 sack rice hull
½ sack chopped banana stem
2 kgs wood ash
2 kgs fresh cow dung
Procedure in Preparing Bokashi
1. Put the inputs in layer and later mix them well.
2. Mix water, molasses and fresh cow dung in a basin and sprinkle it while mixing the
heaped inputs.
3. The materials should have an optimal water content (moisture). The best practical way
to determine this, is by squeezing firmly the mixture in the hand-palm and no water
comes out of the fingers. It forms a ball when you open the palm and collapses easily.
4. Remember that if mixture is dry and water and when it’s very humid add chicken
manure or dry soil.
5. When it has a lot of water, the temperature generated during the fermentation process
will be low resulting into a “rotten bokashi” and if it has less water (moisture content),
the temperature generated will be very high which will result into “ burnt bokashi”.
6. After mixing and the moisture content is right, leave the materials in a heap-like
structure of 1-meter high, if the quantities permit, cover with banana leaves or fiber
under shelter.
7. A day after, the material start to generate heat. Turn to bokashi to
lower the temperature and to accelerate uniform fermentation.
8. For the first 4 days, turn the heap twice a day (morning and evening)
and then after turn it once a day for 10 days.
9. Each day you turn the heap, lower its height by widening its base up
to about 1-ft tall.
10. On the 15th day after preparation, when it cools put the bokashi
fertilizer in gunny sack for storage and apply it during rainy season.
11. Bokashi can be applied in the hole directly during planting of annual
crops or during transplanting of seedlings. For perennial crops, spread it
around the plant (where feeding roots are located).
Production of Vermicast and Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting – is derived from the Latin term vermis, meaning

worms. Vermicomposting is essentially the consumption of organic
material by earthworms. This speeds up the process of decomposition
and provides a nutrient-rich end product called vermicompost, in the
form of worm castings.

Vermicast – is the material deposited by the earthworm after the

materials passes through the digestive tract of the worm (worm
manure).
Production of vermicast and vermicomposting

Benefits od Vermicompost
Improves soil structure, porosity and water-holding capacity
Enhances soil microbial activity
Supplies the essential nutrients for better plant growth
Provides plant growth regulators
Suppresses soil-borne pests and diseases
Results in 100% organically produced crops.
Production of vermicast and vermicomposting

Species for Vermicomposting

 Production of vermicast and vermicomposting
Species for Vermicomposting
Production of vermicast and vermicomposting
Species for Vermicomposting
Production of vermicast and vermicomposting
General Steps in Vermicomposting
Production of vermicast and vermicomposting
Production of vermicast and vermicomposting
Detailed Production Guide on Production of Vermicast and
Vermicomposting
Prepare the worm bin
Apply the 1st layer – manure (Ex. Pig manure)
Add – 2nd Layer – Farm Wastes (Ex. Chopped banana stalk )
Add – 3rd Layer – Manure ( Ex.Chicken manure)
Add – 4th Layer – Farm Wastes ( Greens – Ex. Vegetables wastes / kakawate)
Add – 5th Layer – Manure ( Ex. Goat manure & dried grass clippings )
Water every layer with IMO and Molasses solution
Ferment for at least 2 weeks
Check temperature if the substrates are cool and then apply worms
Cover and let worms compost the substrates for 1 month
Harvest by separating worms from the vermicast and vermi compost
Advantage of Vermicomposting
- Vermicompost is an eco friendly natural fertilizer prepared from
biodegradable organic wastes and is free from chemical inputs.

• It does not have any adverse effect on soil, planta and environment.
• It improves soil aeration, texture, and tilth thereby reducing soil
compaction.
• It improves water retention capacity of soil because of its high organic
matter content.
• It promotes better root growth and nutrient absorption.
• It improves nutrient status of soil-both macro-nutrients and micro-
nutrients.
Precaution
• Vermicompost pit should be protected from direct sun light.
• To maintain moisture level, spray water on the pit when required.
• Protect the worms from ants, rat, and birds.
Determine the advantages of an organic fertilizers over
a chemical based fertilizer
Determine the advantages of an organic fertilizers over
a chemical based fertilizer
Determine the advantages of an organic fertilizers over a
chemical based fertilizer
Determine the positive contributions of organic
fertilizers to the environment
Establish an ecological balance to prevent soil fertility or pest
problems.
Encourage soil fauna and flora, improving soil formation and
structure and creating more stable systems.
Prevent soil erosion
Supplement the soil with complete essential elements needed for the
plants.
Enhancing soil structure and water infiltration
Mitigates the greenhouse effect and global warming through its
ability to sequester carbon in the soil.
Identify safety factors in the preparation and processing
of organic fertilizers

Always use proper PPE in preparing and processing of organic

fertilizers
Maintain 5S in the processing area
Always apply sanitation to avoid contamination of organic fertilizers
Determine the proper application of fertilizer to soil
and plant
Solid organic fertilizer – is applied basally by incorporating in the soil prior to
planting or transplanting and being absorbed by the plants through the root system

Liquid/Foliar Fertilizer – are sprayed to the plants, particularly on the leaves,

which are absorbed through stomata.

Time/Condition of Application – early morning or late in the afternoon and not

windy and no rain.
Preserve the potency of organic fertilizer

Store in dry, dark and cool place

Packaging material should be lined with plastic bag
For foliar, when aging add molasses to prolong shelf-life
Identify important elements present in an organic
fertilizer
Maintain record in the production of organic
fertilizer
Things to record in the production of organic fertilizer
Manufacturing date
Expiry date
Quantity
Moisture Content
Nutritional Composition
Prepare plan in the implementation of PNS for organic
fertilizer
In processing of organic fertilizer, always follow the
protocol stated in PNS/BAFS 183:2016 – Organic Soil
Amendments
Soil Amendments include all the products within the scope
of the Standard, i.e. organic fertilizer, compost/soil
conditioner, microbial inoculant, and organic plant
supplements
Determine requirements in the establishment of
commercial organic fertilizer production
BAFPS (Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards)
Registration
Brgy/LGU permits
Local zoning
Third party certification