PRODUCTION OF SOLID ORGANIC FERTILIZER FROM STUDENT’S CAFETERIA SOLID FOOD WASTES

Abstract

In wolkite university student’s cafeteria and lounge, there is large amount of food wastes, which is being disposed continuously. Thus, it needs a solution to convert it into valuable products. The main objective of this project is production of organic fertilizer aerobically from these food wastes. To produce the organic fertilizer, the food waste was collected and prepared. The ratios of Bread to Injera to Onion peels was formulated as R1 (1:2:1), R2 (1:1:1), and R3 (2:2:1) and Moisture contents (20%, 50%and 70%). The prepared raw materials were composted by aerobic method of composting for a month and then the products were collected. The experiments were conducted on moisture content, organic matter, carbon content, water holding capacity, pH and macro nutrients (N, P, and K). Finally, among the total results, from the experimentation the maximum product was found at R2 and 50% moisture content. The total product was obtained 76g of fertilizer from 105g of the feed materials with the value of 0.63% nitrogen, 0.711% phosphorus, and 0.972% potassium. And also, Water holding capacity, organic matter, pH and carbon content of organic fertilizer were 41.92%, 50.2%, 5.51, and 27.89% respectively. This showed that the food by-products have the potential of producing organic fertilizers which are environmentally friendly