Power supply glitch hampers operation of organic fertiliser processing centres

By Our Correspondent,Sharada (Salyan), July 7: Organic fertiliser processing centres have been established in two places in Salyan with the aim of producing pesticide-free crops. 

The organic fertiliser processing centers have been constructed in Bangad Kupinde Municipality and Kumakh Rural Municipality of the district to promote an environmentally friendly agricultural system by making proper use of natural resources.

This is probably the first attempt in the district to produce organic fertiliser without cow dung by processing decaying organic materials such as leaves, twigs, and weeds collected from the forest area with the use of machines. 

However, despite the construction of the processing centere, fertiliser production has not been started due to the problem of irregular electricity supply and low voltage. 

The organic fertiliser processing centre has been established in the Jayamalika Community Forest Group of Kumakh at a total cost of Rs. 1.81 million, including Rs. 1.75 million from the project and Rs. 62,000 public labour contribution, said committee chairman Khim Bahadur Budha.

He said, “So far, 15 quintals of leaves have been collected for fertiliser production, but the machine has not been able to operate due to low electricity voltage. Two motors have also become dysfunctional and we have requested the electricity authority to resolve the problem.”

Similarly, a processing centre has been established at a cost of Rs. 1.9 million in Shanti Community Forest Group located in Bangad Kupinde Municipality-6. 

Chairman of Community Forest Group Dhan Bahadur Singh said that 11 quintals of leaves have been collected, but fertiliser production could not be started in lack of power supply. 

The sheds have been constructed for processing centres at both locations. Necessary equipment and tools have been installed for organic fertiliser processing centres. 

Forest groups have said that a microbial liquid will be used during fertiliser processing, which will quickly decompose organic matter and convert it into fertiliser.

The processing centre has been established through the 'Income Enhancement Programme of Group' run under the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Programme. 

The programme is expected to contribute to forest conservation, environmental improvement and farmers' income generation. This programme will also help reduce the problem of forest fires that occur every year, said Dr. Digambar Dahal, officer of the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Programme. 

A strategy has been made to collect leaf litter before the fire and use it in fertiliser production. 

Dahal expected this to protect from forest fires in the coming years and have a positive impact on agriculture through productive fertiliser.