Poster: Improving periurban soils with recycled organic city waste: a case study f…
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Transcript of Poster: Improving periurban soils with recycled organic city waste: a case study f…
Vincent Schmitt1, Priyanie Amerasinghe2, Dionys Forster3, Bharadwaja Vadloori2, Urs Niggli3
Background and rationale
Hyderabad's current urbanization rate is 4.7 %. This has resulted in benefits, but hasalso led to pollution problems associated with solid waste management. Urbanizationhas also impacted periurban agriculture, with land fragmentation and high productioncosts. This paper looks at opportunities for improved sanitation, entrepreneurdevelopment and soil enrichment for increasing agriculture productivity, by recyclingthe organic waste of city municipalities.
Objective
The aim of the study was to revitaliseperiurban agriculture soils withorganic compost prepared from citywaste. The compost production was tobe facilitated by the establishment ofdecentralised smallscale businessesthat would convert waste intocompost, improving urban sanitationand livelihood enhancement.
Material and methods
In August 2011, a multistakeholderplatform comprising GreaterHyderabad Municipal Corporation(GHMC), International WaterManagement Institute (IWMI) and awomen's selfhelp group developed aplan of action to develop a publicprivate partnership. Smallscalecomposting units were implementedafter participatory diagnosis of viableprocesses, identification of promotersand demand for compost. Anagronomic trial was performed toillustrate the benefits of using organiccompost, in vegetable production.
In the municipality of Patancheru (GHMC),the organic fraction of the municipal waste isestimated at 14'280 kg per day. Assuming areduction of volumne of 75%, 13'035 kg N,3'911 kg P, and 11'732 kg K could be recycledper annum (Figure 1).
The GHMC administration played a key rolein the identification of suitable beneficiaries.They provided the space, water, and transportfor the composting plant.
The promoter group (Figure 2) was trainedon windrow composting method (Figure 3).Their entrepreneur skills were developed overa period of six months, were registered as awelfare society, which allows them to receivesubsidies.
Municipal organic waste can be successfullycollected in the municipality (Figure 4). Thewaste had less Crich materials and had to besupplied from agriculture biomass. Brandingof the product was attempted to supply thelocal market (Figure 5).
Onfarm trial revealed that the spinach leaveswere significantly longer and wider in compostplots. The standard deviations were smallerindicating the greater resiliency of compostapplication. Cabbage and tomato did not showany significant difference.
Results
Figure 1: Municipal wastedumped on the road side
Figure 4: Waste collection
Figure 2: Promoter group
Figure 3: Workshop
Figure 5: Branding thecompost product
Figure 6: Onfarm trial
Conclusion
The recycling of organic waste is feasible, if it can be organised in a participatorymanner. Yet, in order to improve periurban soils, the final product has to bepopularised, as the beneficial effects are not well known. Coupled with demonstrationtrials and awarness campaigns, such partnerships can thrive, and be an effectiveproposition for reducing pollution within cities.
The results are part of a study titled “Fertile Soils for PeriUrban Agriculture in Hyderabad” funded by Lonza Ltd, Switzerland
1 University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany, 2 International Water Management Institute, Hyderabad, India,3 Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland
Improving periurban soils with recycledorganic city waste: A case study from India