DEFINITION,CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE COMPOSTING SECTOR,COMPOSTING PHASES, COMPOSTING TECHNOLOGIES, A CASE STUDY OF NALGONDA, ANDHRA PRADESH, KARNATAKA COMPOST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED,COMPOSTING POLICY

1. CASE STUDY ON
COMPOSTING
Presented By:
Anjum D
Pratiksha Baruah
Rajendra Naik
Venkata Ramana

2. CONTENTS
HISTORY
COMPOSTING – DEFINITION
CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE COMPOSTING SECTOR
COPOSTING PHASES
COMPOSTING TECHNOLOGIES
A CASE STUDY OF NALGONDA, ANDHRA PRADESH
KARNATAKA COMPOST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED
COMPOSTING POLICY

3. HISTORY
Sir Albert Howard developed the Indore process of Composting nearly 75 years ago by systemizing
the traditional process that was carried out in India (Howard, 1940).
 Government intervention to promote this practice can be traced to the 1940s and the early 1970s,
when the national government initiated a scheme to revive urban composting (Selvam, 1996).
However, centralized large-scale composting plants in urban areas promoted in the 1970s proved to
be uneconomical (Dulac, 2001).
 Due to high operating and transport costs and the poorly developed market for compost, the
expected profits could not be realized as planned. Composting of mixed waste also had a negative
effect on compost quality and, thus, on its acceptance by farmers.

4. COMPOSTING
Composting is a biological process in which microorganisms convert organic matter into compost.
Composting is a process of controlled decomposition of the organic waste, typically in aerobic
conditions, resulting in the production of stable humus like product, compost.
Benefits Of Composting
Improved soil quality, enhanced water retention capacity of soil, increased biological activity, micro-
nutrient content and improved pest resistance in crops.
Composting minimizes/avoids GHG emissions from anaerobic decomposition of organic waste.
Compost, because of its high organic matter content, is used as a valuable soil amendment thereby
reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
An analysis of market demand for compost and its potential end-use determines the design, capacity
and hence the financial viability of compost plants.

5. CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE
COMPOSTING SECTOR IN INDIA
Majority of the collection of MSW is in the form of mixed waste.
Making quality compliant compost from mixed waste requires a number of equipment for refinement
and quality control and higher production cost but the yield is reduced as the quality standards are
higher (10-15%).
Percentage of process rejects increase proportionally (30-40%) unless the processing facility
produces compost as well as RDF.
At present the landed cost to the farmer is about Rs. 4000-5000 per ton of finished compost
(distance being the main variant). This price is too high for the average farmer.
The long term benefits of soil conditioning properties of compost are not adequately appreciated by
the farmers and other stakeholders.

6. THE COMPOSTING PROCESS – PHASES
AND CRITICAL PARAMETERS
Process of Aerobic Composting
The two distinct biological process
stages observed during composting
are:
• Thermophillic Stage (Sanitization)
• Mesophillic Stage
(Decomposition)

7. TEMPERATURE DURING COMPOSTING
PROCESS

8. COMPOSTING
TECHNOLOGIES
In-vessel composting:
The composting of waste is done inside a closed vessel like drum, silo, digester bin or tunnel.
Conditions like air-flow, moisture content, agitation mechanism and temperature are controlled.
This allows more waste to be decomposed in less time. Moreover, with proper care the odour and
leachate production can be reduced.
Decentralized composting:
Since organic waste decomposes, it is better not to waste time in collection and transportation but
rather treat it at the source itself. Decentralized composting is done either at community level in
boxes with capacities of 3-5 tons or at individual household level in bins.
Vermi-Composting:
This is composting of bio-degrade able waste with help of earth-worms. The resultant compost is
rich in nutrients and can be used as a soil conditioner. Ideally, the vermin-compost beds must have
a moisture content of 30-40% and a temperature range of 20-30°C.

9. COMPOSTING
TECHNOLOGIES
Windrow composting:
In this type of composting, the organic waste is stacked into windrows. The windrows are stacked
to maximize the exposure to air. They are also constantly turned using mechanical turners. The
finished product is rich in organic matter and nutrients with C/N ratio of 20:1 and moisture content
of 30 to 35%.
Aerated static pile composting:
The waste is placed over piles which are directly above a system of pipes connected to blowers.
This helps ensure better aeration, hence, fermentation time and the fuel spent on mechanical
turners (in windrow composting) is saved.

10. A CASE STUDY OF NALGONDA,
ANDHRA PRADESH
The case study is taken some of the Mandals in
Nalgonda which are implementing vermi-composting
process, are Bhuvangiri, Choutuppal, Yadagiri gutta,
Gundala, Aathmakur, Valigonda, Gurrampodu,
Ramannapet which is recently declared as villages
under Hyderabad Urban development authority of
Andhra Pradesh.
Every Mandal has minimum of 2-3 villages having
Vermi-compo-sting process. Some of the
organizations like Jana Jagruti Samiti (JJS), peace,
Medvin, Satyam are implementing the
vermicomposting process.
Government provides the earthworms at a charge of
600 per kg and pay 1800 per bed per person as a
loan.
The study area includes Mandals and villages in
Andhra Pradesh are mentioned

11. VERMI COMPOSTING
The period of composting is around 50-60 days and the final compost obtained will be
approx. 300kg per bed, According to this Rs.18, 000 loan pay back period is 1.5 years
one bed per one person.
By Vermi-composting the agricultural waste as well as the waste generated from
agricultural animals is perfectly reused and managed.
Some of the raw materials for vermicomposting include grass, waste feed grass, jatropa,
neem leafs and paddy slurry etc .
One of the main ingredient in this is the “ Glarysiri Leaf” which is mixed in the process
.It plays a vital role in increasing NPK percentage naturally. It is advantage in this process
comparatively municipal solid vermicomposting. This is eco friendly and is a small-scale
industry.

12. Bed Manufacturing The bed preparation is done
in two ways
1) Closed bed system
•Raw material - cement, sand, brick, water and
granules (Or) Granite slab, cement,
•water and granules Height = 3-6 feet,
Length = 3 meters, Width = 1 meter
In this model the bottom was closed.
2) Open bed system
Height= 3-6 feet, Length = 3 meters,
Width = 1 meter In this process 2-4
feet of depth is left and is filled with
sand and granules.
Either it be closed or opened the raw
materials required and the process
remains same.
METHODOLOGY

13. PROCEDURE
• Waste must be free from glass pieces and plastics.
• The bed is filled with grass, waste feed grass, Jatropa, Neem leaves and Glarysiri leaves etc . The
top of the bed should be covered with paddy slurry.
• It is kept wet up to 30-40 days but water should not be stored in the beds.
•The bed should be maintained in cold conditions or should be in shade.
• The bed volume decreases 3 feet to 1½ feet in 15-30 days , i.e. the initial bed volume, become
half.
• Then the earthworms 1kg are introduced by making 2 to 3 holes in every bed (25 kg initial)
• It is recommended to shake (stir) the bed to decrease the heat generated inside the bed.
• To maintain optimal wetness, water is sprayed in alternate days. It becomes dried 30-45 days
• The top layer is taken out and screened after 45 days onwards.

14. The compost will be ready within 55-60 days(around 1feet).
• After the screening procedure fine powder like compost is obtained which contain
earthworms in larvae stage i.e.300 kg/bed
• These earthworms are introduced on to the other bed. This is batch wise continuous.
Process some precautions should be taken, that are
• Gemaxin powder is sprayed around the bed to avoid ants, frogs, insects etc.
• If more than two beds are maintained then 15 days gap should be given from one bed
to another bed.
• Otherwise NODE process can be preferred The Vermi composting gives good yields
when used for mango plantation, lemon plantation, and orange plantation than compared
to rice.
PROCEDURE

15. COST / INCOME ANALYSIS
Cost - Approximately Rs.10,000 to Rs.18.000 Income: It takes 50-
60days for one cycle period. From one bed we get approx. 300 kgs.
1kg- Rs.3.00/- 300 kgsx3-Rs= 900/bed If four beds 300x
Rs3.OOx4 Beds=3600.
Vermi-composting involves harnessing the services of epigamic
earthworm species which consume the surface litter for the
conversion of organic wastes into Vermi - compost, excellent
organic manure.
Earthworms consume all types of organic waste under conducive
conditions; these include kitchen waste, animal waste, agri - cultural
residues and even paper.
Vermi-castings have a wide variety of applications such as
management of solid wastes, liquid wastes, as a bio-sanitation
agent, etc.
In this process no technical persons required, it is one of the best
way to solid waste management as well as eco refunctioning to the
nature.
Raw Solid Waste Stock
Vermi-compost ready to use
Stack piles mixed
with Vermi-culture

16. KARNATAKA COMPOST
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
LIMITED
KCDC main semi mechanized plant was commissioned in 1978.
KCDC is a subsidiary of Karnataka Agro Industries Corporation Limited (KAIC), was set up by
Karnataka Government and is managed as an autonomous body.
It was established with a subsidy (grant in aid) of Rs. 29.00 lakhs1 by Government of India,
towards capital cost.
KAIC contributed Rs. 26 lakhs, Bangalore City Corporation and Karnataka State Co-operative
Marketing Federation Limited contributed Rs. 12.00 lakhs1 each, and in addition Rs. 12.53
lakhs was borrowed as loan from State Bank of India.
The share capitals now is Rs. 100 lakhs. The office and plant are situated in its own land of
15 acres and 10 guntas at Haralakunte, Singasandra Post, Bangalore.

17. •The plant had designed at the cost of Rs.41.25 lakhs, with a capacity of 200 MT per day.
•The machinery consisted of pay-loaders for loading, unloading and windrowing. Auger for turning and
decomposing in windrows, tractors and trailers, and conveyors, magnetic separators, rasping machines for
crushing, and screening plant for grading.
•Although the designed capacity was 200 MT per day, the actual production level achieved was only 20 MT
per day between1977 and 1985.
•At present, 100 Mt of mixed garbage is handled per day. Two numbers of screening plants containing 40
mm screen for producing grade B and C compost and 10 mm screen for producing grade A compost are
obtained
•At present, two sieving drums each with the capacity of 10 MT per day and vibrator screen with capacity of
25 MT per day are operated.
TECHNOLOGY

18. PRODUCTION, SALES AND
REVENUEFollowing is an overview of production, sales and revenue of compost from 1991-92 to 1995-
96:
For 1996-97, unto end of September '96, KCDC produced 4265 MT of organic manure and
sold 3874 MT and realized an amount of Rs.45 lakhs and incurred an expenditure of 35.29
lakhs (before depreciation) and there is a surplus of Rs.9.71 lakhs.
The Corporation receives a grant-in-aid of Rs.10 lakhs every year for the production of the
compost at Rs.75/- per MT and transport subsidy of Rs.30/- per MT which is passed on to
farmers in the form of subsidized cost of transportation of manure.

19. ORGANIZATIONAL
CHART

20. PROCESS OF COMPOSTING
Waste Flow
 KCDC has a capacity to handle 100 MT of mixed waste every day,
however, 200 MT of mixed waste is received at site.
 The production level is 50 MT of organic manure everyday. The
municipal lorries transport the mixed waste to the KCDC yard.
 The composition of the mixed waste is approximately 60% of organic
waste, mainly from the residential and market areas, while the rest 40% is
plastic, glass, paper, iron, syringes (clinical waste), clothes, rubble etc.

21.  KCDC has adopted simple aerobic decomposition in windrow
method. The garbage received is arranged neatly in windrows after
segregation of contraries on the concrete I platform of 5 acres.
 A nitrogen fixing innoculent is sprayed on the garbage to speed up
decomposition and to reduce odors. Sometimes cow dung slurry is
also sprayed. The windrows are turned with the help of auger and
front end loaders for proper aeration once '. in 5 days so that aerobic
process continues un-interrupted.
 Water is sprayed as and when required depending on the moisture
content.

22.  The decomposition is continued for about 3 to 4 weeks and the degraded
compost is : fed to the screening plants to produce different grades of organic
manure.
 Organic manure obtained is in two forms, viz. organic manure in pure form and
organic manure in enriched form. The latter has more micro nutrients with
enrichment at the stage of decomposition.
 The decomposed mass is lifted with front end loaders on top of the siever
having 10mm and 25 mm sieve. Both the coarse and finely sieved compost are
heaped under the shed and mixed with additives and packed as per the order.
The residue is sold to a contractor annually.

23. Cost of Additives and Packing Materials
Cost of Additives & Packing materials per tone of compost
= Rs. 1,681,000.00/ 96,22 tone
= Rs. 174.70
The total amount spent indicated here is inclusive of transportation.

24. COMPOST POLICY
The Union Cabinet has approved for a policy on Promotion of City Compost. Under the
policy, a provision has been made for market development assistance of Rs. 1500 per
tonne of city compost for scaling up production and consumption of product.
Compost Policy:
Market Development Assistance Policy under Swatchh Bharat Mission Initiative
1. Market Development Assistance (MDA) of Rs. 1500 per metric tonne of city compost to
be paid to fertilizer marketing companies.
2. Fertilizer Marketing Companies obligated to purchase all city compost manufactured by
respectivr cities to which they have been tagged.
3. Amendment on 28th September 2016: ULBs/Compost Manufacturers can also market
compost directly to farmers and claim MDA of Rs. 1500 per tonne. DAC&FW Notification
in this regard relased for 43 plants and notification for 47 plants is underway.

25. http://iced.cag.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/C-
34/Jaipur%20Presentation%20-%20Final.pdf
Manual on Municipal Solid Waste Management
Jr. of Industrial Pollution Control
VERMICOMPOSTING - A SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY
( CASE STUDY OF NALGONDA, ANDHRA PRADESH )