Compost is the end product of the break down of organic matter into nutrient-rich soil. This type of soil is critical to a good and healthy plant which in turn provides nutrient dense, disease fighting nutrition for our bodies.
The parts of the food we do not eat when returned to the earth where it was taken, recycles what would have been sent to a landfill back into the earth. Good aerated compost acts as a soil enrichment which holds moisture and releases microorganisms extremely beneficial to growing plants.
Organic waste matter found around us in abundance that can be used for composting include:
Green and brown grass
Green and brown leaves
Orange peels
Avocado peels
Cut up plantain peels
Yam peels
Sweet potato peels
Cocoyam peels
Banana peels
Carrot peels
Groundnut husk and shells
Egg shells
Fish, gills, tails and scales
Coconut coir
Charcoal ash
Paper
Cardboard
Pawpaw leaves and peels
Cassava leaves and peels
Goat manure
Chicken manure
Rabbit manure
Guinea pig manure
Piling the above together in winrows or a mesh enclosure allows the free circulation of air in and through it. Moisture and heat, abundant elements in the atmosphere, help break down the organic waste into nutrient rich black soil.
Often when a compost pile is started, microorganisms within it begin to ingest the organic material. Earthworms naturally make their way into the pile, adding their excrement to make the compost even richer. Other forms of animal excrement that can be added to a compost pile include chicken, rabbit, goat, sheep and cow manure.
When a compost pile is ready for use on farms and gardens, it has an earthy smell, is dark in color and moist as it retains water very well. A dressing of compost around growing plants makes these very healthy, disease resistant and above all, produces a bountiful harvest.
Incorporated into Adukroman Foundation’s Recycling and Sanitation Campaign, compost will be an indispensable new tool to combat organic material dumped as waste which sometimes litter our beautiful town.
Adukroman Foundation hopes to provide organic material recycling stations at Nifa Secondary School, Adutech and J.G. Knol Technical Institute. Please do not forget to collect your organic materials in containers to be dropped off on specific dates and sites which will be announced on media and social media well in advance.
Do not forget to donate to this worthy cause that helps immensely to clean up our environment through recycling as great stewards of our planet. Thanks for your generosity!
