Training on Compost Making 26-27 November, 2007

Workshop Completion Report

Conducted by

CABI South Asia In Collaboration with

Welthungerhilfe / German Agro Action and Lasoona

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary……………………………………………………..……………….....…….3

Acknowledgement...………...………………………………………..……………………..…….3

1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 4

2. Training Objectives........................................................................................................ 4

3. Training Contents .......................................................................................................... 5

4. Training Organization and Conduct .............................................................................. 5

5. Training Material............................................................................................................ 7

6. Covered Training Contents (A review) .......................................................................... 7

6.1. What is composting?.............................................................................................. 7

6.2. Why to use compost?............................................................................................. 8

6.3. Making of compost? ............................................................................................... 8

6.4. What to put in and what not to put in? ................................................................... 8

6.5. The layers of compost............................................................................................ 9

6.6. Management of compost heap and compost use.................................................. 9

7. Practical Demonstration (Participatory)....................................................................... 10

Annexes

Annex 1 Daily Training Schedule..………………………………..……………………………15

Annex 2 List of Training Participants ..……………………………...………………………....16

Annex 3 Pre and post-training evaluation test.………………...………………….………….18

Annex 4 Manual developed for compost making……………………………………………..20

Annex 5 Training Completion Certificate……………..…………………...………… …….....21

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Executive Summary

CABI South Asia with the financial assistance of German Agro Action organized a training

workshop on “compost making” on 26th and 27th November, 2007, in Rawalpindi,

Pakistan. The training participants were progressive farmers, Agricultural Officers and

trainee from a NGO, LASOONA, village activists and representatives from different CBOs.

A total of 31 participants participated in this training workshop.

During this workshop, training contents covered were “what is compost, why to use

compost, making of compost, what and what not to put in compost, layers of compost and

management of compost heap were addressed”. Participants were explained about the

advantages of using compost, latest composting technologies, key principles in compost

making and its use. Participants were able to learn composting principles and how to

promote the improvement of soil physical, chemical and biological properties by the

correct use of compost. A participatory practical demonstration on compost making

process was also made during this training workshop.

Participants were given a pre and post training evaluation test to assess the effectiveness

of the training workshop. Post training evaluation test indicated that the trainees gained

knowledge and experience with aspects of compost and composting that will enable them

to more effectively communicate with other farmers. Each participant received a compost

training manual. An interesting consensus emerged from the discussions at the end of the

day: the only thing hindering compost production and its use is lack of information to

farming community. A “train the trainees” programme teaching scientifically based

principles of compost production and use can be the seed for encouraging the use of

organic waste from forms as source of soil improvement for fruit, vegetable and other crop

production.

Acknowledgements

The CABI South Asia would like to thank German Agro Action for their financial support for

this workshop, also to acknowledge the collaborative support of “Lasoona” in the

implementation of this workshop. We gratefully acknowledge Mr. Qamar Zia, Project

Manager, AKDN-MERP NRM Project, CABI, for his contribution in Urdu translation of

compost making training manual. Assistance from all those CABI staff involved in training

is also acknowledged.

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1. Introduction Introduction of Green Revolution put negative effects on the structure of agriculture. Its

after-effects are also alarming. Fertilizers were considered necessary for better

production. Following this, farmers started using fertilizers to gain more profits and gained

bumper crops for a few years. After that yields became static and even in the following

years, decreased but the use of fertilizers tended to increase. These fertilizers especially

urea ruined the lands by killing the micro-organisms which are considered necessary for

the natural fertility of the soils.

Farmers often have difficulty disposing of leaves, grass clippings and other farm waste. So

it has even become more important to find environmentally sound ways to dispose of

them. These by-products of the fields can be turned into useful compost with no more

effort. Compost is a basic source of organic matter which our commercial vegetable and

fruit growers rarely use in their fields. Addition of organic matter to crop production soils

tends to enhance their overall ability to retain both nutrient and water. Compost can be

incorporated as a soil amendment for vegetables, fruit trees and nursery crops. An

additional benefit of the compost can be disease suppression.

Recognizing these and other relevant realities, the German Agro Action (DWHH/GAA)

with collaboration of CABI SARC proposed a short training programme on “Compost

Making” for the farming community of the project area. GAA in collaboration LASOONA

identified training participants from different CBOs, village activists and progressive

farmers.

2. Training Objectives The main objective of the training was to improve the perception, knowledge and skills of

the participants about the best possible, environmentally safe and inexpensive ways to

dispose of their farm waste. The specific objectives were as follows:

• To provide updated knowledge to produce a safe, high quality compost product that

can be beneficially used as a soil amendment.

• To provide the training and educational resources to encourage adults to actively

participate in the process of sustainable organic waste management by

composting.

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• To enable the farming community to develop ways to reduce the volumes of waste

being generated in their field.

3. Training Contents • What is composting?

• Why to use compost?

• Making of compost?

• What to put in?

• What not to put in?

• The layers of compost

• Management of compost heap

• Compost use

• Practical demonstration (Participatory)

4. Training Organization and Conduct The CABI SARC organized the training on 26th and 27th November, 2007 and was held at

its head office in Rawalpindi with the financial assistance of German Agro Action. Daily

training schedule is at Annex 1. It consisted of in-door lectures, exercises, case studies

and discussions. Participants comprising of Extension Officers and Internees from

LASOONA, village activists, members from CBOs and progressive farmers. List of

participants is at Annex 2.

Figure 1. Session in Progress

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Figure 2. A review in local language

Figure 3. Questioning session

Participants were registered and the

training started with the recitation of Holy

Quran. Formal introduction of the

participants was made so that every body

can interact and communicate well. On

26th November, 18 participants

participated and second day on 27th

November, 13 participants were

registered. Urdu language was used as

training medium.

All the participants were given day’s programme. Resource person from CABI SARC

explained the participants with the objectives and the overview of the training programme.

Training sessions were set and detailed lectures and exercises were made on the training

contents. Participants were also facilitated with local (Pashto) language so that every body

could understand the concepts of compost making. Participants were encouraged for

asking questions to make the concepts more clear. During and after different training

sessions, participants were given time to

make discussion on the subject in their local

area scenario. Participants were found very

interactive and eager to learn. Detailed

discussion on the compost making process,

its management and its use were made

during the sessions. Participants were given

pre and post training evaluation test to have

an idea about training impact.

A participatory practical demonstration on composting methodology was made in the field

in CABI SARC. Compost making material was collected and all the steps involved in

compost making process were demonstrated. Participants actively took part in making

compost heap. During demonstration activity, attendees asked different questions that

showed their interest in learning and application of the composting techniques.

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Figure 4. Composting materials

5. Training Material This training was divided into two parts. In the first part, the participants were given

lectures using white board and charts and flip cards, exercises on charts. All participants

were provided with compost making manual in undu, which was developed by CABI

SARC.

In the second part of the training, practical demonstration on compost making was made.

Composting sites was selected in CABI fields and all the steps involved the said process

were demonstrated with a thought that participants could learn more by practically doing

and seeing the things.

6. Covered training contents (A review)

6.1. What is composting? During this session, participants were told about the basic knowledge of compost,

comparison of synthetic and organic fertilizers and their effect on soil fertility and

environment as well as their economic value.

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Figure 5. Field Demonstration

6.2. Why to use compost? The background of using compost was discussed in detail in this session. Participants

were explained about different composting benefits and useful effects. Trainees asked

many questions which were very helpful in understanding “why we use compost”.

6.3. Making of compost? Composting process and its requirements were explained to the participants.

Participants were told about the “keys of making good compost” and what are the most

important tips and points that one should keep in mind while making compost.

6.4. What to put in and what not to put in? Participants were told about the materials that can be used in composting and the

materials that can not be used in composting. Participants told that farmers usually

face difficulty in disposing of their farm waste. Resource person explained that how a

farmer can bring the waste materials into a useful organic matter to enhance soil

fertility.

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6.5. The layers of compost

All steps involved in making a compost heap were explained to the participants.

Arrangement and proper way of setting composting layers in the heap were explained.

6.6. Management of compost heap and compost use After completion of compost heap, key points that are important in heap management

were discussed during this session. What are the most important things that we have

to keep mind while using compost were explained to the participants.

Figure 6. Setting the composting layers

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Figure 7. Participants busy in compost making

7. Practical demonstration (Participatory) In the last session, participants were taken to the composting site for practical

demonstration. Composting material like wheat straw, maize straw, saw dust, ash, fruit

and vegetable waste, dried leaves, cut grass, farmyard manure, lime, cardboard, small

clippings, and green weeds were collected. First, the participants were explained about

all the steps involved in the process and later, a composting heap was produced with

the participation of all participants.

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Figure 8. Composting in progress

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Fugure 9. Completion of composting process

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7.0 Training Evaluations

The participants were put to simple pre and post-training evaluation tests (Annex 3). The

purpose of the pre-training evaluation was to assess the level of participants’ knowledge

about marketing and identify weaknesses and gaps. The post-training evaluation helped

to assess training effectiveness. All the trainees expressed a positive feedback about the

overall outcome of the training and many of them are beginning to use compost in their

operations or encourage its use by others.

Figure 10. Pre and post training evaluation

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Closing Ceremony

Training Workshop ended with the giving of Certificates of Completion (Annex 4) to all

participants by Regional Director CABI South Asia, Dr. M. Ashraf Poswal and Training

Coordinator Dr. Kauser Khan Niazi with their closing remarks closing Remarks.

Figure 11. Training participants recieving certificates

Figure 12. Closing remarks by Regional Director, CABI South Asia

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Annex 1

9:00 – 9:30 Welcome and Introduction Training objectives and overview Pre-training evaluation

9:30 – 10:00 What is composting Why to use composting

10:00 – 10:20 Tea break

10:20 – 11:00 Compost making - Process - Requirements - Keys of making good compost

11:00 – 11:30 What to put in compost

- Composting in heap - Compost layers - Compost in bin

What not to put in compost

11:30 – 12:00 Compost management Compost use Post training evaluation

12:00 – 13:00 Practical Demonstration on composting

13:00 – 13:30 Certificate distribution

Daily Schedule for Training on Compost Making

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Annex 2

List of training participants (November 26, 2007)

No. Name Organization/Area

1 Shirzada Dandai

2 Tahseenullah Dandai

3 Mohammad Nazir Dandai

4 Asghar Khan Dandai

5 Akhtar Ali Khan AO Lasoona

6 Said bacha Sarkool

7 Javaid Ahmad UC Shang

8 Ali Bahader UC Shang

9 Muhammad faraz Dandai Perkalay

10 Fazal Manan Ganangoo

11 Muhammad Jan UC Shang

12 Habib-ur-Rehman UC Shang

13 Zai-ur-Rehman Sarkool

14 Syed Hussain Sarkool

15 Latifullah Lasoona (Shangla)

16 Muhammad Nisar Lasoona (Shangla)

17 Niaz Ali Lasoona (Shangla)

18 Badro Dandai/DTT

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(November 27, 2007)

1 Muhammad Amin CBO (Kolai)

2 Taj Muhammad CBO (Aspin Abad)

3 Barkat Ali CBO (Aspin Abad)

4 Habib-ul-Haq Youth Organization (Kolai)

5 Muhammad Seiaz CBO (Sharakot Dat)

6 Younas khan CBO (Badakot)

7 Muhammad Hanif Khan CBO (Kaloot)

8 Nawab Khan CBO (Sharakot Dat)

9 Zarmoran CBO (Badakot)

10 Mufti CBO (Badakot)

11 Muhammad Ayub CBO (Aspin Abad)

12 Farhat Ali A.O (LASOONA)

13 Abdul Khaliq Internee (LASOONA)

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Annex 3

Pre and post-training evaluation tests

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Annex 4

Compost Making – An introductory and training manual (Prepared for the training participants)

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Annex 5

Training Completion Certificate

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Training Coordinator:

Dr. Kauser Iqbal Khan Niazi

Email: k.khan@cabi.org.pk

Resource Person:

Shakeel Ahmad

Email: shakeel@cabi.org.pk