Making Organic Fertilizers

Organic agriculture is more than just farming without chemicals—it's a holistic approach that balances nature and farming to create sustainable, eco-friendly food systems. The Philippines, with its rich agricultural heritage, is an ideal place for organic farming. Making your own organic fertilizers is not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. Here are a few popular methods:

1. Composting

Composting is a natural process of decomposing organic matter into nutrient-rich humus.

Materials:

• Kitchen scraps (vegetable and fruit peels, coffee grounds, tea bags)
• Yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, small branches)
• Manure (from animals like cows, pigs, or chickens)

Steps:

1. Layer: Create layers of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials in a compost bin or pile.
2. Moisture: Keep the pile moist but not soggy.
3. Aerate: Turn the pile regularly to introduce oxygen and speed up decomposition.
4. Wait: After a few months, the compost will be ready to use.

2. Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)

FPJ is a liquid fertilizer made by fermenting plant materials.

Materials:

• Fresh plant materials (weeds, grasses, or kitchen scraps)
• Water

Steps:

1. Soak: Soak the plant materials in water for a few days.
2. Ferment: Allow the mixture to ferment for a week or two.
3. Dilute: Dilute the fermented liquid with water before applying to plants.

3. Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting involves using worms to decompose organic matter.

Materials:

• Red worms
• Organic waste (kitchen scraps, paper, cardboard)
• Compost bin or container

Steps:

1. Layer: Layer the organic waste in the bin.
2. Add worms: Introduce red worms to the bin.
3. Maintain: Keep the bin moist and aerated.
4. Harvest: Harvest the worm castings as a rich organic fertilizer.

Tip: Provide a balanced diet with the right protein, calcium, and other nutrients.

• Chicks: Starter feed (20-24% protein)
• Broilers: Grower feed (18-20% protein)
• Layers: Layer feed (16-18% protein with added calcium)

Trick: Supplement with kitchen scraps (vegetables, grains) and oyster shells for added calcium to boost egg quality.

Tips for Effective Organic Fertilizing:

• Soil Testing: Before applying fertilizers, test your soil to determine its nutrient needs.
• Balanced Nutrition: Ensure your fertilizers provide a balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
• Regular Application: Apply fertilizers regularly to maintain soil fertility.
• Mulching: Use mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Crop Rotation: Rotate crops to prevent nutrient depletion and pest and disease problems.

By following these methods and tips, you can create high-quality organic fertilizers that will nourish your plants and improve your soil health.

Would you like to learn more about specific techniques and get a Organic Agriculture Production
NCII ?

Enroll now at Doña Amparo at Daan-Ili
Allacapan, Cagayan!