Thousands of research papers are available on internet about the preparation and uses of compost. Solid waste generation and disposal is a growing problem across the globe. Composting is one easy and cost effective method for waste recycling and management. But there is a question, how to convince a farmer to use compost. Each farmer is interested in production and saving of time. He/she may not have time to prepare compost. If solid waste managers prepare solid waste, what mechanism may be adopted to utilize the prepared compost?
It is important that solid waste managers will spend money to prepare compost and will expect some profit. Farmers will expect some discount or subsidy on the ready-made compost. In such situations what mechanism may be adopted to encourage this business of composting?
aronEnlightened
What policy, economic measures, and/or strategy may be adopted to make the use of compost attractive for farmers?
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John Wick
To be attractive for farmers, the use of ready-made compost should be cost-efficient. Due to the fact that for this compost use farmers need effort and money, they will evaluate rapidly what they will gain after using that compost on their farms. Where agricultural products demand exists, and the farmers are sure to realize profit, the use of compost will be neccessarily attractive.
andrew
The strategy to promote compost making and use among farmers should be an integrated effort among government, agricultural universities and growers. Through a robust program in education and extension the universities should establish trials in research farms that become sites for hands-on learning and demonstrations available to farmers. Government should provide subsidies and appropriate economic incentives to promote the use of compost among farmers. The success of a program at the local level, could easily become adopted, or adapted to/for more communities. Education for all becomes the vehicle leading to success as soon as everyone (even non-farmers) understand the agronomic, environmental and economic benefits of composting.
avery
Farmers use their compost for centuries, and it is the best practice. You cannot expect farmers to pay for compost from external sources, not even to allow to dispose of compost in their lands for free. I would choose the risk-free, well-known fertilizer 10 out of 10 above an unknown compost. Compost from municipality waste is mixed with WWT plant solid, and sometimes it is contaminated with heavy metals.
In the EU, the compost is used to re-cultivate old landfills and old mines or the municipality use it in its lands, parks, and urban forests (non food production sites). I think the same approach should be followed; everybody should use its own compost.
So, the self-composting and use should be taught and incentivized, not the compost market. If a compost plant produces more compost than the need, they need to buy lands and manage the waste correctly.