With the upsurge of cancer cases, more farmers are now embracing organic farming. That being the case, they should seek professional advice in their resolve to end use of chemical fertilizers in their farms.
An exhibitor who displayed the technology of making organic fertilizer at Waruhiu Agricultural farm in Githunguri over the weekend says it is prudent for interested farmers to secure an area in their farms where they can pile up the compost and other ingredients before mixing them to produce organic fertilizer.
Paul Mungai, a technical adviser deployed by a Non-Governmental Organization, “Tree for the future” to work with farmers in Ikinu ward of Githunguri sub-county, Kiambu County says every farmer requires to have a compost section in their farms.
He said compost fertilizer is important to a farmer because it treats the soil by removing acidity from it thus making it safe for crop growing. It also releases the food nutrients to the crops slowly besides assisting the soil to retain moisture and suppressing plant diseases and pests.
“Compost also encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material that is important for crops,” Mungai stated.
Mungai assures that when farmers endeavor to make their own compost, they will eventually reap quality and nutritious food crops for a longer time as compared to when they use chemical fertilizers.
The expert who attracted many agriculture lovers during the three days Farmer exhibition event explained that while making organic fertilizer, one should start with digging a pit of whichever size and lay on the ground dry matter from the farm and from home that is biodegradable.
“In the second layer, you should add green matter and then manure that comprises droppings from the animals in the farm. Having done that put ash which will neutralize the PH in the compost. This stage is followed by adding charcoal dust and then egg shells for calcium. Finally cover the compost with top soil which has bacterial and microorganisms,” he explained.
He said the mixture takes three months to be ready for use in the farms and called on farmers to stop spending money on exorbitant chemical fertilizers while they can produce equally effective organic fertilizer in their farms cost-free.
By Lydia Shiloya
