Wednesday, May 23, 2012

CONVERT YOUR KITCHEN WASTE INTO ORGANIC FERTILIZER



Materials:

☻EM Bokashi*
☻Compost Bucket*
☻Fresh Kitchen garbage (eggshells, fish scraps, fruit and vegetable peelings and leftovers)

Procedure:


 Prepare a compost bucket for easy collection of excess water during fermentation. 
Improvised bucket using ordinary pail and basin. Make a hole at the bottom of the pail to drain the liquid.
Put a handful of bokashi inside the compost bucket. If drainage holes are too big put news paper inside and moisten it with EM fermented rice rinse wash before spreading bokashi.


Mix 30-40g of EM bokashi into kitchen garbage (enough to coat kitchen waste). Then put it on the bucket. Press the kitchen garbage to compress and remove air. If kitchen garbage is limited use an inside lid to avoid exposing the kitchen waste to air.



Do the same procedure on No.5 until the bucket is full. Cover the container tightly. Store it in shaded area for 14 days. Sweet-sour smell signifies good fermentation. 

   

During fermentation collect the kitchen waste juice and use it within the day to avoid spoilage. Dilute 1-2 ml of this juice per 1 liter of water. Use this within the day to water the plants. Pour 50-100 ml of kitchen waste juice to kitchen sink drainage to prevent clogging and clean the drainage pipes.



Main Reasons of Failure
1. Kitchen garbage was already rotten before fermentation.
2. Excessive water.
3. Size of garbage was too large (Bokashi is not mixed well)
4. EM Bokashi was too little.
5. Poor Quality of Bokashi.
6. Garbage juice was not drained regularly.
7. Too much time lapsed since treatment started.

             As a result of this failure the garbage will smell putrid and maggots will appear. To treat this, pour hot water on the garbage to kill the maggots. Bury it on soil away from the plants. Dilute 20 ml of EMAS per 1 liter of water and spray this to the soil and garbage until 50-80% moisture is attained. Soil can be use again after one month after fermentation process is done.

How to make EMAS using Non-chlorinated water




Materials:

1 liter Non-chlorinated water or Rice Rinse Wash
30 ml EM-1 Concentrate
30 ml Molasses




Procedure: 

1. Dissolve 30 ml molasses/ 30g brown sugar to 1 liter non-chlorinated water. 

2. Add 30 ml EM-1 and mix well. 

3. Cover the container tightly. Keep it at room temperature away from direct sunlight. 

4. On the third day loosen the cap to release the gas inside the bottle and tighten again. 

5. Start using EMAS in 7 days. It should have sweet-sour smell. Use EMAS within 1 month

How to use Fermented Kitchen Garbage

 Prepare soil 3 times the volume of the fermented kitchen garbage.

Mix the fermented kitchen garbage with soil.
Mix well and put it on planter with drainage holes. Cover with soil.

Dilute 2 tablespoon or 20 ml of EMAS in 1 liter of non-chlorinated water
Spray diluted EMAS to ensure decomposition process.
Cover the planter with news paper and plastic to keep the moisture and avoid rain. 
Leave it for at least 2 weeks. Appearance of white molds doesn’t indicate failure.

You may start sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings on the planters.
Leafy vegetables with fermented kitchen waste.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Bokashi Fertilizer

Make Your Own Organic Fertilizer

 
               BOKASHI is a Japanese word meaning fermented organic matter with EM technology. EM-1 has 3 principal microorganisms such as Lactic Acid Bacteria,  Yeast Phototropic (photosynthetic) microorganisms.
             Lactic Acid Bacteria inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms due to its low pH. Yeast is the fermentation starter and help producing bioactive substances such as hormones and enzymes. Phototropic (photosynthetic) microorganisms are the one that uses solar energy to metabolize organic and inorganic substances. Combining these 3plus other microorganisms converts organic matter through the process of fermentation which increases the efficacy of organic matter as fertilizer. Bokashi  is used to hasten decomposition of kitchen waste and garden waste to recondition garden/ farm soil and provide nutrients for plants. This is also good as organic fertilizer.



     Below are the ingredients you may use in bokashi. You may choose one ingredients among this or make your own formula depending on the available materials within your area. Just remember, rice bran, EM-1 or EMAS and molasses are your constant materials. Corn bran or wheat bran could be a substitute for rice bran.



There are two ways to make bokashi. Anaerobic bokashi and Aerobic bokashi. 



    Anaerobic bokashi means air is not allowed during fermentation and has longer fermentation process than aerobic bokashi. In this type, you need a tightly sealed containers like drum. This type of bokashi, if dried and stored properly could be keep for one year. 

       Bokashi feed additive is fermented using this method. 

    Aerobic bokashi allows air and careful control of moisture and temperature during fermentation . This type of bokashi mainly use in agriculture and could be keep up to 6 months.


Dry Materials:


Formula A        

Processed chicken manure or any animal manure     40 kg                                                                 
Rice Bran  D3                                30 kg                
                                
Rice Hull                                        30 kg               Formula B
Rice Bran D3                                  50 kg
Copra Meal                                    10 kg
Carbonized rice hull                       20 kg*
Coco coir dust                                20 kg

Formula C                                                        
Shredded Rice straw                     100 kg               
Rice Bran                                        10 kg                                      
Dried Chicken Manure                     5 Kg                
                                                                         
  
 Formula D                                                        
Processed Animal Manure              30 kg 
Plant leaves                                    10 kg 
Carbonized Rice hull (Not Ash)       60 kg
Coco peat                                       40 kg
Rice Bran-D3                                 10 kg






Liquid Materials for Bokashi:
♦ EM Activated Solution (EMAS) 30 to 40 liters for every 100 kg dry materials or
♦ Dilute the following if EMAS is not yet available:
      EM-1 Concentrate         1 liter 

      Molasses                       1 liter
      Non-chlorinated water   48 liters

How to make EM Activated Solution.

1. Prepare EM Activated Solution (EMAS) by diluting 1 liter Molasses and 1 liter EM-1 to
28 liters non-chlorinated water. Ferment it for 7 days in room temperature away from direct sunlight. During this fermentation period allow gas to escape by opening the cover every 2-3 days, then tighten it again. It should have sweet sour smell.



Start to make your own ANAEROBIC BOKASHI


1. Mix all the dried materials well.
2. Dilute 1 liter of molasses to non- chlorinated water and add EM-1. Mix well or use Pure EMAS instead.


3.  Pour the EM diluted solution  or EMAS gradually onto the bokashi mixture while checking the moisture content. Mix well. The moisture content should be 30-40%.
4.  To check the proper moisture, squeeze the bokashi until it forms into a ball and with a slight push of a finger it will simply crumble. When you squeeze it and it doesn’t form a ball add more liquid and mix it well.

5. Put mixture inside the plastic drum or plastic bag that do not permit entry of air then tightly seal it. Store the container on shaded area without direct sunlight. Let it ferment for 14 days.


6. After 14 days, EM bokashi is ready to use when it has sweet-sour fermented smell. When it smells rotten it means that the fermentation process is unsuccessful.

White molds may appear if bokashi is exposed to air, thus anaerobic condition should be maintain. Although this molds are harmless but this will gradually lead to quality deterioration and finally putrefaction. 

(If fermentation failed, dig a hole and burry the bokashi. Before covering the hole dilute 1 L EMAS to 50 liters water and spray it to bokashi. After 1 to 2 months, when bokashi already turn into soil, it is now ready to be planted.)

7. After 14 days spread thin layer of bokashi on concrete floor let it air dry on shaded area for 3 sunny days.
Put the dried bokashi in a bag then seal it to maintain anaerobic condition. Store it in room temperature, away from direct sunlight. It can be stored for 1 year.




AEROBIC BOKASHI


1. Mix all the dried materials well.



2. Dilute 1 liter of molasses to non- chlorinated water and add EM-1. Mix well or use Pure EMAS instead.



3. Pour the EM diluted solution or EMAS gradually onto the bokashi mixture while checking the moisture content. Mix well. The moisture content should be 30-40%.


4. To check the proper moisture, squeeze the bokashi until it forms into a ball and with a slight push of a finger it will simply crumble. When you squeeze it and it doesn’t form a ball add more liquid and mix it well.


5.Heap the mixture on dry floor. Cover it with gunny bag or jute sack and keep in shaded area. Always avoid direct sunlight. The temperature of the mixture should be lower than 50oC thus regular checking is recommended. Mix the pile twice a week or every other day to add aeration and to keep the temperature below 50oC .  30% moisture content should be maintain during fermentation process. If the moisture drop below 30%, spray EM Solution or EMAS again.


7. After 7 days spread thin layer of bokashi on concrete floor let it air dry on shaded area for 3 sunny days.
Put the dried bokashi in a bag then seal it. Store it in room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Aerobic bokashi can be store for 6 months.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012


CONVERTING FISH KILL TO HIGH NITROGEN FERTILIZER
How to make your own high nitrogen fish amino acid or fish emulsion using EM-1 technology
Image from www.google.com
       Fishkill or the overnight death of the whole fish population in an enclosed fish cage, fish pen, inland fish pond or in the open lake and sea are caused by sudden extreme change of water temperature, the presence of toxic algae, toxic waste, polluted water due to high levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulphide or nitrite gases in the pond bottom, or diseases.  The root cause oftentimes is due to human greed.  As overstocking is resorted to by unscrupulous fish pond operators, particularly in fish pens in Taal, Laguna de Bay and off-shore fish cages in Pangasinan, due to high demand of fish like bangus and tilapia, the higher pollution level brought about by decaying dead fish and unconsumed feeds become the sources of toxic gases.

      The sudden death of fish in big volume creates a nightmarish problem for the affected LGUs or barangays as well as the BFAR and DENR. The stench after a few days becomes a public health hazard and the contamination of drinking water underground and spread of pathogens in the soil have to have quick solution and effective control of odor and pathogens.

    In one issue of EM SOLUTIONS, we discussed the low-cost yet effective way of neutralizing bad odors from dead fish and preventing the contamination of ground water and the spread of pathogens in the soil brought about by fast decaying fishkill.

Here, we shall show you how to CONVERT TRASH INTO CASH

MAKING YOUR OWN FISH AMINO ACID – a high nitrogen fertilizer for your crops

Fish emulsion or fermented fish waste is a common fertilizer being applied by farmers in organic farming method introduced by Koreans and Japanese which provide biological sources of nitrogen and other micro nutrients.  The process is simple and it can be done by anyone with lots of cheap fish on hand.  Here, we shall share with you the EM technology developed by Dr. Teruo Higa of EM Research Organization, Japan. 

Effective microorganism as Dr. Higa coined are beneficial bacteria that he researched on and realized that with the proper combination of Lactic Acid bacteria, yeast and photosynthetic bacteria, a powerful and hidden force of nature is unleash to counteract the putrefying action of pathogens that causes the bad odor of decaying organic matters like dead fish.

EM Technology has been applied in the Tsunami stricken places in Japan as well as Thailand and Indonesia, in the USA after supertyphoon Katrina struck and caused lots of death. Please refer to www.emrojapan.com. for more details. 

EMAS or activated EM solution provides the cheapest solution and very environment and human friendly.  No toxic chemicals. Easy to prepare and apply.
FISH AMINO ACID MAKING – FORMULA ONE

Multiply your EM-1 Concentrate into thirty times of EM activated solution or EMAS

Materials:
♣ 1 liter of EM-1 concentrate
♣ 1 liter of high-grade molasses. brix level should be above 50 brix. Get from reliable   suppliers to be sure or as a substitute if you don’t have molasses, use 1 kilogram of brown sugar
♣ A plastic drum for mixing 30 liters of EMAS.
♣ 2 pcs. 20 liter plastic container with cover or 50 liter empty plastic drum with sealable cover.
♣ A bamboo stick for mixing
♣ 28 liters of clean, non-chlorinated water.  Deep well clean water is best.  
If you are using Chlorine treated water, please let the water oxidize for one day in the drum.  Do not cover.


1.  Dilute the molasses in warm water of 2 liters.  Or dissolve the brown sugar first in warm water. It will dilute evenly and fast in warm water. 
2.  Pour the molasses or sugar syrup or solution into the remaining 26 liters of water.
3.  Mix the EM-1 concentrate into the 28 liter of water with the molasses or sugar.
4.  Stir well for even mix.
5.  Pour the content into the two plastic containers at 15 liters each or cover the 50 liter drum after mixing.
6.  Uncover to release gases due to fermentation daily and cover tightly again immediately after.
7.  Keep the plastic container or drum inside a room or shaded shed. Far from heat or direct sunlight.
8.  In the Philippines, the fermentation process can be completed in 5 to 7 days after.
9.  A successful fermentation process will produce a sweet sour smell of the EMAS.  If it has a foul smell, the process is unsuccessful.  This is often due to contamination by using unclean water, adulterated molasses, expired EM-1 concentrate.  EM-1 has a shelf life of six months. 
     
Get your EM-1 concentrate from accredited dealers. Beware of fakes.

Using EMAS to make your own fish amino acid fertilizer

As it is more convenient to use a 200 liter plastic drum in times of fishkill, you should mix three liters of EM-1 concentrate to make 90 liters of EMAS.  The drum used should have a cover.  If not, you can remove the top part and use a plastic  bag without any holes to cover the top opening and use a rubber interior strip to have an airtight cover.

1.  Prepare fresh fish by chopping them into small chunks of one to two inches.  Put all materials inside the plastic drum.  For a 200 liter drum, you can place 95 kg. of chopped fish.  Include the intestines.
2.  Pour EMAS while loading your fish material.  Pour all 90 liters of EMAS.  It is important to wet the fish chunks with EMAS to hasten the fermentation  process and to minimize the cumbersome task of stirring the fish chunks in the drum
3.  Do the mixing in a shaded area. Avoid hot sunlight.
4.  Seal the drum opening air tight to have a good fermentation process.
5.  The fermentation process will be completed in two to three weeks. If the plastic film cover expands too much, like a growing balloon, release the gas by loosening the rubber band but tighten well immediately after.
6.  The liquid is the FAA and the solid portion of the fish can be further composted.
7.  Separate the liquid with the use of a fine strainer. It can be catcha cloth or screen.
     Place inside 1 to 1.5 liter plastic bottle and leave 2 inches of space on top before closing.  Do not fill to the brim to allow fermented gas space. You may open the cap from time to time to release the gas and close cap tightly immediately after.
8.  The EM-FAA is a good foliar fertilizer and soil conditioner for your plants.


FISH AMINO ACID MAKING – FORMULA TWO

Materials

♣ 2 liters of EM-1 concentrate
♣ 40 liters of high-grade molasses. brix level should be above 50 brix. Get from reliable
   suppliers to be sure or as a substitute if you don’t have molasses, use 40 kilogram of
   brown sugar
♣ A plastic drum for mixing 200 liters capacity
♣ A bamboo stick for mixing
♣ 58 liters of clean, non-chlorinated water.  Deep well clean water is best.  If you are using
 Chlorine treated water, please let the water oxidize for one day in the drum.  Do not cover.

1.    Chop the fresh fish into small chunks of one to two inches.  Put all materials inside the plastic drum.  For a 200 liter drum, you can put 95 kg chopped fish.  Include the intestines.
2.    In the separate container make an EM solution by dissolving 40 liters of molasses in 58 liters of warm water. Add 2 liters of EM-1 concentrate and mix well.
3.    On a shaded area pour the EM solution inside the drum together with your fish material and stir.
4.    Seal the drum opening air tight to have a good fermentation process and store it away from direct sunlight.
5.    The fermentation process will be completed in two to three weeks. If the plastic film cover expands too much, like a growing balloon, release the gas by loosening the rubber band but tighten well immediately after.
6.    The liquid is the FAA and the solid portion of the fish can be further composted.

Application of Fish Amino Acid in plants

1.    Dilute 150 ml of Fish Amino Acid to 16 liters of water or one knapsack sprayer.
2.    Spray it on leaves and stem of the plant early in the morning or late in the afternoon once a week.
3.    During basal fertilization, dilute 1 liter of Fish Amino Acid to 200 liters of non-chlorinated water and spray it on soil.  This will help loosen up the hard soil and
improve the organic matter compostion in soil.  Helps also in roots health and plants grow robust .  Lowers the use of chemical fertilizers.
      4.  Leafy vegetables loves FAA foliar application.  Apply once only as foliar.