The use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals has increased. What are the sources of organic fertilizers used in organic farming?

Options of organic fertilizers 

High population growth has put pressure on resources in food production and farming practices become more and complicated. The use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals has increased. What are the sources of organic fertilizers used in organic farming?

 Use of synthetic fertilizers has affected our lands and caused climate change, but luckily, farmers in the whole world are now turning to organic farming to mitigate the impact of climate change and human health. Organic farming aims at sustainable farming practices that are favorable to the environment. Organic farming can help to overcome climate change.

One of the most solicited practices of organic farming is the use of organic fertilizers as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. 

Organic farming does not involve the use of chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, or additives for livestock. Organic farming means the use of more natural alternatives. This may result in low yield, but the farmer sells high-quality products at higher prices because the consumers’ belief is of high quality.

 What are the alternatives to chemical fertilizers?

Here are some of the natural alternatives that a farmer can use in organic farming:

Organic Fertilizers used in organic farming:

Instead of using synthetic fertilizers, manure could be used as a perfect alternative to synthetic fertilizers. It helps to improve soil structure besides its nutrient’s functions.

Here is a list of some natural organic manure that a farmer can use:

1.    Worm casting 

This means raising earthworms in our land. These worms can be fed with kitchen waste. Earthworms contain life enzymes and nutrients which enable the roots to grow deep in the soil. 

2.    Cow manure 

The cow manure has been used by our grandfathers for a long time no matter which part of the world you live in, to fertile their lands. Cow manure contains good nutrients and life bacteria needed for crop growth. 

3.    Chicken manure

Chicken manure is high in nutrients and contains nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.

Please note that this source of manure contains an excess of nitrogen which can be harmful to the crop. It is therefore recommended that you compost chicken manure before adding it to your farm.

4.    Fish manure

 Fish manure is made from fishbone, scales, and skin. This fertilizer provides a rich source of free nitrogen to the plant. 

5.    Hot Compost                                 

Hot compost manure can be homemade by combining green and brown materials, for example, green grass and dry leaves. Pile them together, keep the pile wet by pouring water every two to three days, as you turn the piles every four to six days. Heat builds up and all the organic materials start decomposing quickly after two months the hot compost will be ready for use.

6.    Compost tea

This also can be made at home. Soak grass or any green material from your farm in little water for 3-5 days. Filter the water into a jug and water your plant using the filtered water. Compost tea provides read-to-absorb nutrients to the crops.

7.    Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds add organic material to the soil and help the soil with the ability to hold water for a long time. The coffee ground can be used directly in the garden or added to hot compost 

8.    Rice Water

By rice water, I mean the dirty water that you get after cleaning our rice, this water will keep your crop healthy. Rice water contains Nitrogen, Potassium, phosphorus.

The use of organic fertilizers is paramount in organic farming. Organic farming maintains biodiversity more than inorganic farming because no chemicals are used. Biodiversity benefits the future and all of us from the plants to animals and this how our grandparents farmed for 1000 years before industrializing. Organic farming is better for biodiversity and also produces high-quality products for human consumption

 Article by Jane Lola