Scientists at the Kerala Agricultural University have developed a new technology for rapid conversion of degradable waste to value-added manure.
A team comprising C.R. Sudharmaidevi, K.C. Manorama Thampatti and N.Saifudeen of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, has joined hands with a private firm to fabricate a machine using the new bioconversion method.
The scientists claim that the process is fast, efficient and non-polluting, making it suitable for residential apartments, markets and community halls.
The prototype installed at the college has been operating for the last one year and a field demonstration was done at the W2M unit, Thiruvallam.
Named Suchitha, the automated machine has two components, one for grinding and the other for boiling. Any degradable waste, segregated at source, is reduced to a paste by wet grinding. Two chemicals (patent pending) are added to the paste and boiled for one hour to yield a brownish black product. This is dried by adding some agents and fortified with small doses of essential plant nutrients to produce organic manure. The whole process is completed within one day.
Capacity
The capacity of the machine ranges from 15 to 100 kg per batch. A machine with 15 kg processing capacity takes up only 1.5 sq m of space and three units of electricity for operation. The machine will cost Rs.2.5 lakh to Rs.5.75 lakh, depending on the capacity and allied equipment.
A pressnote issued by the university said the environment- friendly technology could help in safe management of degradable solid waste. Agriculture Minister K.P.Mohanan launched the technology at a function last month.
Source : The Hindu
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