INORA

Bavdhan, Pune, Maharashtra

For those who would like to start composting at home for the first time with a low investment, INORA has developed a composting starter kit. The kit includes following:

• a 32 l container with cover. Aeration holes on the sides and cover. No drainage holes are provided at the base of the container.
• 5 kg of INORAs Composting Medium,
• 1 kg of INORAsDecomposition Culture,
• 0.5 l of INORAsIVEM Odour Control Spray,
• A Garden Rake,
• Spray Bottle and
• A pair of Rubber Hand Gloves is provided.

The composter can process 1 kg per day for about 15 days. After the container fills up, a pair of ozone stabilised HDPE bags are provided, in which the semi finished compost is emptied for further curing. The bags are to be kept aside for 4-5 weeks to allow for full curing. In the meantime, the bucket can be cleaned and reused.

The compost kit is to be used as follows:

1. Pour the 0.5 l ofIVEM liquidprovided into the Spray Bottle.
2. Dispose the plastic container and packaging responsibly.
3. Open the 1 kg pack of INORAsDecomposition Cultureand transfer into an air tight container.
4. Wear the gloves provided. Dispose of plastic packing responsibly.
5. Fill the 32 l container with half the quantity of INORAs Compost Medium as a base layer.
6. Take 1 kg of fresh kitchen waste which you would like to compost and spread in as thin a layer as possible on top of the compost medium. Use your hands to spread the waste. Optionally use the rake provided.
7. On the first day, add a teaspoon of INORAsDecomposition Cultureand spread it well across the whole surface of the wet waste.
8. Spray the fresh waste with INORAsIVEM spray. No dilution is to be done of this liquid.
9. Bury the fresh waste in the brown layer of the compost medium in a way that no fresh material is left exposed to sight.
10. Close the lid and you are done for the day.
11. On the next day, repeat steps 6, 8, 9 and 10.
12. Add a teaspoon of INORAsDecomposition Cultureonly once in 4-5 days.
13. Keep an eye on the moisture content of the composting medium. If it gets too wet, add handfuls at a time of the remaining compost medium and mix well to balance the moisture. Do not add any extra water. If you run out compost medium, you can look for dried leaves, grass, hay, shredded garden waste in your surroundings to cover kitchen waste.

Watch this instructionalvideoon the how to use the kit on a daily basis.

The composter can take all organic bio-degradable wastes such as vegetable peels, fruit peels, food scraps, shells of nuts, stalks of greens, coffee grounds, tea leaves, food waste, egg shells, non-vegetarian waste (in small quantities), bones, coconut fibres, etc. Those who start composting for the first time should ideally start with only raw organic wastes such as vegetable peels, scraps, stalks of kitchen herbs, fruit peels, flowers, etc. Cooked food waste should be introduced at a later stage in small quantities at a time after completion of one cycle of harvest.

With liquid food waste such as dals, sambhar, etc that need to be disposed of, ideally, it should be strained in the kitchen sink to wash away all the liquids. The solid content can then be disposed of in the composter.

Certain food materials like dairy products, oils, etc. lead to stickiness and cut off air circulation leading to odours. When added to the compost bin, only small quantities can be added. After addition, the contents of the bin should be turned to mix and aerate the compost pile. Any sticky food materials, such as chapati dough, etc should be avoided or added in small quantities with care, since it tends to form sticky lumps in the compost and lead to anaerobic conditions that lead to odours.

Any material that adds an excessive amount of moisture, stickiness, potentially harmful pathogens or materials that destroy friendly composting microorganisms should not be added into the composter. A few such materials are:

Food waste with large amounts of liquid contents such as gravies, curries, oils, dairy products, sugars, etc should be avoided. The solid content of the waste can be added after they have been washed and sieved under running water.

Cat and Dog litter, biomedical wastes should not be added since it adds harmful pathogens into compost. Cow dung is the only exception since it promotes composting with a whole host of beneficial micro-organisms and also removes odours.

All non-bio-degradable materials should not be added particularly, plastics.

Harmful chemicals, such as paints, pesticides, mineral or fossil based oils, detergents, etc should not be added in the composter.

INORAs composting box is a versatile way to start managing wet waste on site for both small and large communities alike.

• INORAs Composter Box processes 10 kg per day of un-shredded kitchen waste.
• The unit measures 5x3x3 and comes with a lid, aeration holes on the sides & drain at the bottom for draining away moisture and compost wash.
• The unit is made of light Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and comes with an MS frame for added strength and is fully self-sufficient.
• Benefits:
  • The box can be positioned at any suitable location and is also movable.
  • It is ideally suited for setup on terraces. This helps in space efficiency. Terrace area need not be waterproofed.
  • Ergonomically designed for ease of daily use.
  • Due to modular design, multiple boxes can be combined together to meet larger composting needs. With 10 boxes in combination with a shredder, 100 kg of waste can be processed in a day.
  • A single box can meet the processing requirements of up to 12 households.
  • When combined with a kitchen waste shredder unit, up to 15 kg per day can be processed in the same unit.
  • Setup Procedure:
    • The unit can be setup at any convenient location where waste is to be composted including on terraces.
    • After location is identified, composting layers are setup inside the unit starting at the bottom with coconut shells, coconut husk, fibres or dried garden / agro waste, vermicompost bedding material, cow dung and earthworms.
    • Option of bio composting without the use of earthworms is also available.
    • After setup the bedding layers have to be soaked completely with water.
    • The layers are allowed to settle for a day, after which loading of fresh waste can start.
    Daily Use of Composting Box:
    • The area inside the box should be divided into 4 equal quandrants.
    • One quadrant is elected for the first day.
    • With a garden rake, the top bedding layer is removed to the side with an intention to bury the fresh waste.
    • Segregated wet waste (max. 10 kg only) is loaded and spread out into as thin a layer as possible.
    • Some of the bedding material removed is mixed uniformly with the fresh waste.
    • A teaspoon of INORAsDecomposition Cultureand a teaspoon of INORAsTrichodermaCulture is spread evenly on the fresh waste.
    • INORAsIVEMsolution is then sprayed over the entire area of the fresh waste.
    • After this operation, the removed bedding material is used to cover the fresh waste evenly in a manner that no fresh material is exposed. This prevents fly activity.
    • The next day, the next quadrant is used for loading of waste.
    • In this manner a cyclical loading pattern is followed for the next 3-4 months, after which enough compost will be available for harvest.
    Optional Accessories:
    • INORA recommends the use of a 1 HP kitchen waste shredder machine for a higher quality and texture of compost. With this, decomposition of waste becomes quicker. At the same time, the waste processing capacity increases from 10 kg per day to 15 kg per day.
    • 2 HP and 3 HP shredder models are also available for higher waste quantities.
    • Tools such as Garden Rake, Spray Bottle, Gloves & Mask can be used for daily operation.

In the composting process, biochemical reactions of different micro-organisms carry out the degradation of organic matter to produce compost. INORAs Decomposition Cultureis made usinga combination of fungii & microbes, which break down organic matter by attacking cellulose & thus initiating composting activity & humus formation.

INORAs Composter planter is a unique waste management technology developed for composting of organic wastes and planting of vegetables, ornamentals, herbs, medicinal plants, vertical gardening in the same container. It has been developed by INORA for individual family use. Some of the ideas that went into developing this product:

1. The solution should be compact and fit into the urban household. Ideally using the concept of re-use of available containers would be ideal rather then creating new plastic for this purpose.
2. Its capacity should be sufficient to cover every type of kitchen waste generated by an average Indian household.
3. It should not produce any harmful effects such as encourage the growth of pathogens, create odours and attract pests.
4. Materials used in the product should be easily available anywhere.
5. The attention required to keep the process going should not be more than 2 mins a day.
6. The compost generated should directly be used for the next level of value creation, namely, for creating a green space in the household.
7. The product should need minimum care and should not need a harvest for atleast 12 to 18 months.
8. Initial cost should not be more than a meal for a family at a good restaurant.
9. Operational cost in a month should not be more than a cup of coffee at a good cafe.

10. The composter planter specifications:

    1. 200 l drum with 3 levels of aeration holes on the circumference. 2 levels of 8 holes of 3 dia and 1 level at the bottom with tiny aeration holes.
    2. Drainage holes on the base to drain away liquids.
    3. Top cover to use at the start of composting.
    4. 1 kg of kitchen waste can be treated per day.
    5. Full composting / vermicomposting layers setup incl. of drainage layer, agro bedding layer, compost layer and vermiculture (optional).
    6. 1 kg of INORAsDecomposition Cultureto be used once in 5-6 days, only a teaspoonful.
    7. 0.5 l of INORAsIVEM Odour Control Spray. To be used everyday after loading fresh waste.
    Prerequisites for using a Composter Planter

    For best results, the composter planter has to be setup right. We list a few important issues that need to be taken into consideration for setup:

    1. The unit has to be positioned in a place that does not allow easy access to rodents.
    2. Ideally the unit should be placed in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. The cover should also be used to prevent rain water from entering into the composter.
    3. The bottom drain holes should be kept free to allow for liquids and moisture to drain away. Any stagnation of liquids inside the composter can lead to odours and anaerobic conditions.
    4. Enough air circulation should be allowed in and around the composter unit.
    5. The composter is normally too heavy to move in use. It should hence be positioned in a place that can be relatively a permanent location.
    6. If placed indoors or on balconies, a small tray may need to be placed below the composter to collect moisture for disposal at regular intervals. The liquid collected in called compost wash and can be used as a liquid fertilizer for your potted plants or gardens.
    Types of Wastes to be Treated in a Composter Planter

    A composter planter can take all organic bio-degradable wastes such as vegetable peels, fruit peels, food scraps, shells of nuts, stalks of greens, coffee grounds, tea leaves, food waste, egg shells, non vegetarian waste (in small quantities), bones, coconut fibres, etc.

    With liquid food waste such as dals, sambhar, etc that needs to be disposed, ideally it should be strained in the kitchen sink to wash away all the liquids. The solid content can then be disposed in the composter.

    Certain food materials like dairy products, oils, etc. lead to stickiness and cut off air circulation leading to odours. When added into the compost bin, only small quantities can be added. After addition the contents of the bin should be turned to mix and aerate the compost pile. Any sticky food materials, such as chapati dough, etc should be avoided or added in small quantities with care, since it tends to form sticky lumps in the compost and lead to anaerobic conditions that lead to odours.

    Materials that should NOT be added into the Composter

    Any material that adds excessive amount of moisture, stickiness, potentially harmful pathogens or materials that destroy friendly composting mircro-organisms should not be added into the composter planter. A few such materials are:

    Food waste with large amounts of liquid contents such as gravies, curries, oils, dairy products, sugars, etc should be avoided. The solid content of the waste can be added after they have been washed and sieved under running water.

    Cat and Dog litter, biomedical wastes should not be added since it adds harmful pathogens into compost. Cow dung is the only exception since it promotes composting with a whole host of beneficial micro-organisms and also removes odours.

    All non bio degradable materials should not be added particularly, plastics.

    Harmful chemicals, such as paints, pesticides, mineral or fossil based oils, detergents, etc should not be added in the composter.

    Plants that can be grown in the Composter Planter

    The 8 aeration holes on the sides of the composter allow for plantation of nutritional and medicinal plants as the compost layers build up with the 1 kg of waste added everyday.

    Nutritional plants such as tomatoes, brinjal, chillies, capsicum, different varieties of gourds can be grown.

    Medicinal plants such as Lemongrass, Aloe Vera, etc can be grown.

    Once the layers build up beyond the first layer of aeration holes, even a large fruit tree such as papaya, chickoo, drumstick, lemon, etc can be planted at the center.

INO-PHOS (Phosphorus Solubilizing Microbes)

Commonly found microbes called Bacillus Megaterium or B. Phosphaticum, B.Polymixa & certain fungi living in soil rich in organic matter can produce organic acids & enzymes. By virtue of this, they act on the locked Phosphorus sources in soils and solubilize non available Phosphorus to make them into a bio available form. INO-PHOS is a combination of several phosphorus solubilizing microbial flora. The introduction of these microbes makes phosphorus available to the plants for easy uptake.

Active Ingredient:Bacillus spp, Pseudomonas striata

CFU Count: : for Carrier 5x10^7 & for Liq. 1x10^8

Crops Recommended:All Crops

Dosage & Mode of application:

Seed Treatment: 500 g INOPHOS for 20 to 30 kg seeds. Moisten the seeds, sprinkle the slurry of INOPHOS on seeds, mix thoroughly, dry under shade, & then sow.

Soil treatment:

Mix 10 kg INOPHOS to 50 kg Vermicompost & broadcast in an acre in root zone.

Seedling treatment:

Mix 1 kg INOPHOS in 10 L water. Deep the seedlings in this slurry for half an hour & then transplant.

Caution:

• Store in a cool dry place.
• Do not use with chemical fertilizers.
• Keep away from children.

Shelf Life (Carrier/Liquid):6 months / 1 Year

Moisture % :30-40 %

Packaging :500g / 1kg in LDPE bags and Liquid 1 ltr. bottles.

For the waste management composting of organic waste is the best option. In the composting process biochemical reaction of different microorganisms carries out degradation of organic matter to produce compost. In organic waste all the necessary elements required for plant growth are present but they are not in a form which can plant take up. If we use IVEM for degradation of organic matter, he rate of degradation increases & are converted in to substances which can be taken by the plants. For proper degradation aeration & moisture % should be maintained properly.

Presentation:IVEM is available in a liquid form contains strains of P-Solubilizing Bacteria, Lactic acid bacteria, Actinomycetes, N-fixing bacteria, Cellulose degrading bacteria, Yeast

CFU Count:1108

Dosage:1 liter in 100 liter water

Method of Application:

For dry waste composting:M1 lit IVEM solution diluted with 100 lit water & then spray this mixture on moist heap.

For food waste composting:Waste should be covered with dry leaves before spraying IVEM .

For growth promoting:Prepare 1:20 dilution of IVEM in water & spray on crops before flowering.

Recommendation:

1. For composting:All types of biodegradable waste.
2. For Growth promoting:All crops.

Shelf life(Carrier/Liquid):6 months

Packaging: 500ml/ 1lit in bottles. Other packing is Available on request.

INOVERTis eco-friendly biological insecticide based on naturally occurring entomo-pathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii. Mainly recommended for Whitefly, Thrips and Aphids. When sprayed, the insect gets Pathogenised and killed. The spores of Verticillium lecanii are slimy & get attached to the cuticle of the insects on contact. The fungus infects insects by producing hyphae from germinating spores that penetrate the insect's integument; the fungus then destroys the internal contents and the insect dies. Verticillium lecanii is known as a "white-halo" fungus because of the white mycelia growth on the edges of infected scale insects.

Presentation: INOVERT is available as easily wet powder containing virulent strain of Verticillium lecanii 1 X 10^8 CFU / gm