This is no news to anyone in the farming industry: using chemical fertilizers is, by far, the most used technique among farmers. It is the conventional way, right? And nobody who is not in the farming world seems to be complaining. After all, that classic arroz con leche recipe you follow is always the same (you can find a recipe here https://mahatmarice.com/recipes/arroz-con-leche/), right? How different can rice be when it grows in an organically grown crop? Well, contrary to what most people believe, it can be completely different.

That is what Isaac, a middle scale farmer, found out when he went from using chemical fertilizers to making his own compost to grow his crops in Nyandarua South.

Why was organic farming not the preferred method?

Just like Mr Isaac, many farmers used to believe, and still do, that composting is a much more time-consuming technique. In addition, they think it is messier and, especially, that it produces lower yield. That is when compared to the number one technique, chemical fertilizers.

At the same time, over the past few years, farmers started noticing that there is a connection between the decrease of production of food per-capita and the decrease of soil fertility. No fertility of the soil, no prosperous crops, no food. That seemed to be the case.

In short, farmers were facing low quality soils and, therefore, a lower quantity of thriving crops. However, the main problem was misinformation since, according to The Organic Farmer magazine, composting should be the preferred method.

What is The Organic Farmer?

It is, basically, an information service created and designed specifically for farmers. Through a monthly printed magazine and radio programs, The Organic Farmer provides information concerning more eco-friendly practices and methods in the farming industry.

These media are run by the Biodivision Africa Trust and they are a good source of information for farmers who want to learn more about new farming methods and ways to improve both the quantity and, mainly, the quality of their crops.

What are the benefits of organic farming?

Naturally, there are many benefits to it. The Organic Farmer is in charge of distributing comprehensive information whose ultimate goal is to provide solutions that are sustainable for the environment. In this sense, composting wins the battle over chemical fertilizers.

This kind of farming bases its practice on organic fertilizers, that is, compost or manure. Because it doesn’t use chemicals, this practice guarantees the maintenance of the soil structure. Moreover, in time it is a way of recovering harmed soils. An improved water circulation, fresher air and high-quality nutrients in the soil structure are responsible for a higher yield and a strong and fertile soil that can be reused.

Even if composting and organic farming takes a longer time, more patience and a lot of hard work, it is by far a much better option than chemicals. Not only in terms of sustainability, but also financially. Composting takes longer, but a lot less money than chemical fertilizers. And, because it prevents soil erosion, it is also a better option for the longer-term. Less money, better and healthier produce, the math is quite simple.

How to start a compost

If you have to start composting from scratch, you will have to dig a pit first. Make it 2 feet deep and 4 feet wide. That is, 60 centimeters deep and 1.2 meters wide.
In the pit, build a pile of rough materials. You can through maize stalks and such first. Then, add vegetation and, as the last layer, manure from the animals in the farm.
If you have wood ash available, add it to the pile together with some mud.
Form a thick bedding of cattle manure and add soil.
Water the pile, do not soak it, just water until moist.
Repeat the process until the pile goes well above the ground level and keep watering it.
In the decomposition process, you will notice the heap decreases. Turn it over for the first time after two weeks and moist it. Repeat this step two weeks later and then do it for the third time a month later.
For the decomposition process, proper water circulation is essential, so when mixing it, add water and make sure it can breathe.