Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 3 • Living Soil, Integrated Soil Nutrient and Crop Managements
facilitators. Motivate farmers to share their best experiences in composting of weeds and other
crop residues.
3. Develop an improved procedure of composting as a soil and weed management strategy in
organic vegetable production.
4. Facilitate each farmer to do hands-on of composting of weeds and other crop residues in
learning field every after weeding operation by improving the procedure below:
5 After weeding operation, collect at least 100 kg composting materials (e.g., weeds, and
other crop residues);
5 Soak collected composting materials in water overnight;
5 Dig a pit with an area of 2 m x 2 m and a depth of one foot to pile composting materials;
5 Place banana trunks as walling to hold composting materials;
5 Pile composting materials into pit to a height of about one foot;
5 Spread uniformly a thin coating of Trichoderma harzianum fungus (optional) over
composting materials;
5 Spread also uniformly one-foot thick animal manure over composting materials;
5 Cover pile with one-inch topsoil;
5 Repeat procedure until at least five layers are formed;
5 Cover compost pile with black polyethylene sheet;
5 Insert a bamboo pole (e.g., joints have been bored at side of pole) into pile to serve as
ventilation vent; or after two weeks, mix thoroughly compost pile then cover again with
black polyethylene sheet;
5 Compost process is complete in one (with Trichoderma) to four (without Trichoderma)
months (e.g., 100 kg composted weeds and other crop residues is equivalent to one sack
pure organic fertilizer); and
5 Take note of all relevant observations and experiences during this activity.
5. Synthesize and summarize output of small groups into one big group output. Draw up
conclusions and recommendation from this exercise.
some suggested questions for processing discussion
❏ Did you observe different weeding and post weeding practices on farms planted to organic
vegetables and other plants in learning and adjoining fields?
❏ Did you observe farmers preparing composts in their fields? Did they use weeds and other crop
residues as compost materials?
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