Putra Agricultural Centre (PPP), Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus (UPMKB) had organized an Organic Fertilizer Manufacturing Course from Animal and Plant Waste at the university on 28 January. The course from 8 am to 5 pm was participated by 29 participants from Sri Aman, Julau, Sibu and Bintulu.

The purpose of the course was to expose the participants to the knowledge of organic materials such as animal and plant waste, as well as to learn the techniques of compost manufacturing techniques to decay faster and proper maintenance methods before becoming compost fertilizer.

They also learn the correct ways of packaging and labeling compost especially for commercial compost production.

Another objective is to encourage the youths to produce their own organic fertilizers so as not to rely too much on trade fertilizers in a much more expensive market, whereas these organic fertilizers are much cheaper and easier to produce.

The course coordinator of Sat Maling who is also the Senior Agriculture Officer of PPP UPMKB when asked said the course is one of the steps forward which is to provide an opportunity for participants who want to start an organic-based fertilizer production project either for their own use or otherwise.

The program received encouraging response especially from the fertilizer industry players and farmers.

He also commented that although chemical fertilizers (such as NPK fertilizers, synthetics, and single fertilizers) are quickly absorbed by plants, they often leave side effects such as causing the surface to become hard especially during the dry season and in turn can affect crop growth if their consumption does not meet the recommended measures.

Among the synopsis of the courses studied are the selection of basic materials/media, methods of accelerating the process of making compost based on animal and plant waste, understanding, and learning simple techniques to make liquid fertilizer (foliar) and Effective Microorganisms (EM) as well as packaging and labeling.

Knowledge sharing is also concerned with the challenges, production, use of decomposing agents and current scenarios related to the production of organic fertilizers.

It is hoped that the community out there will not be left behind to attend other courses organized by PPP, UPMKB related to agriculture that will follow next. For more information, please contact the organizers at www.btu.upm. edu.my

Date of Input: 22/02/2023 | Updated: 22/02/2023 | lanz