Production of compost from organic materials and agro waste

Collaboration between Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Highbiz Trading Sdn. Bhd. was established to transfer knowledge related to composting of organic materials and agro waste. The programme was conducted in Bagan Datoh, Perak community. Feedstock assessment showed that agro waste namely coir dust, poultry manure, oil palm fibre and risk husk are potential feedstock to be utilized into value added product. Oil palm fibre and poultry manure were chosen for the project. These materials were mixed with 1:1 ratio. From 20 t of mixed feedstock produced 10 t of compost. Based on the production of compost, the knowledge related to composting has been successfully transferred to the community. If the system expands to 2,100 t/yr of compost produced in future, a preliminary economic analysis showed that with selling price of RM600/t, the payback period will be 2.83 years and internal rate of return (IRR) will be 7%. However, it is found that this project has problems and limitation such as location of the compost site, social acceptance, travelling distance, facilities and supply of feedstock to be overcome in future. In addition, financial assistance is the critical matters that to be looked into before undertake the project. This project has the potential to be commercialized if the problems and limitation has been arranged

Production of compost from organic materials and agro waste

Knowledge related to composting of organic materials and agro waste will be transferred to Bagan Datoh, Perak community through collaboration between Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Highbiz Trading Sdn. Bhd.. Market feasibility study shows that Bagan Datoh have many agro waste such as vegetables and fruits, fishery and poultry waste, rubber saw dust, oil palm fiber and chicken manure from closed coop. Rubber saw dust and chicken manure were chosen for lab scale formulation study. These two materials were mixed with 1:1 ratio by using rotary drum composter. Composting process was completed within 40 days. Hence, knowledge transfer program will be started by composting of rubber saw dust and chicken manure using windrow system and support with rotary mixing machine specially design by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). At the same time, the discussion with Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) Bagan Datoh is ongoing to work together for commercialization purpose. This project will be roll model to local community and hopefully they will use these agro wastes and have benefits and henceforth increase agriculture and palm oil productivity