In a world full with environmental issues that the people are facing ranging from climate change and pollution to deforestation and desertification, these issues are a direct use of mankind unstainable practices, including these in agriculture, the traditional industrial of farming relies on heavily on the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, which only does it pollute the environment, but also deplete the soil of its natural nutrients. This soil degradation ultimately results in lower crop yields and threatens global food security. The solution to these problems lies in the practicing of sustainable farming methods such as agroforestry, permaculture, and organic farming methods , sustainable farming prioritizes the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, and works with the natural systems, rather than against them, it involves the practices such as crop rotation, companion planting, natural pest control and the organic farming practices.
Talking of organic farming this article saves to highlight how we can fight environmental issues as in the agriculture sector by knowing what bokashi is, the importance of making bokashi and the procedure of making the same bokashi.
Bokashi is a simple term in Japanese that means fermented organic matter, it is a compositing method that is different from traditional compositing unlike traditional compositing that relies on aerobic (Oxygen requiring) microbes to decompose organic matter, bokashi relies on anaerobic (oxygen-free)microbes. Bokashi is a simple way to turn organic waste into rich, soil building compost. It is also a great way to reduce environmental impacts and carbon foot print by diverting organic waste from landfills. This method of sustainable agriculture that uses the combination of natural processes to convert organic waste into soil amendment is gaining popularity among farmers and gardeners worldwide due to their numerous benefits that include:
REDUCTION OF POLLUTION: It reduces by converting organic waste into natural fertilizers, this means that less chemical fertilizers are required, which saves resources and reduces the risk of chemical runoff and pollution of both the land and Air.
WASTE REDUCTION: This method of making bokashi helps reduce waste, this means that less material goes to landfills, reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses generated by methane emissions.
IMPROVES THE SOIL STRUCTURE AND SOIL FERTILITY: Bokashi enhances soil structures by increasing the soil porosity and reducing the soil compaction. This allows roots to grow more easily and leaves to breathe better therefore the water and nutrients to move the soil. It also enhances the soil fertility, by enriching the soil with nutrients, minerals and beneficial microbial populations that are essential for the plants growth, this organic waste is turned into a valuable resource that can be used to improve the health and productivity of the soil.
SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES: Bokashi compositing is a sustainable farming practice that minimizes the use of industrial fertilizers and synthetic fertilizers while supporting the health of the soil and plants.
SAVES RESOURCES AND MONEY: Bokashi making does not need a lot of money when making it only needs few things that we can buy and not costing a lot of money like how these synthetic fertilizers that require a lot of money to be bought, it saves money because instead of buying industrial fertilizers for your crops, you can make your own bokashi and save money.
Now that we know the benefits of bokashi lets dive in to the ingredients and process of making it,
BOKASHI INGREDIENTS:
- 7 Sacks of manure: ideally dry manure and a mixture of different types
- 7 sacks of dry matter; broken into small pieces you can use maize stover, saw dust or leaves.
- 5 sacks of soil that has high clay content
- 1 sack of bran usually used as stock feed or any type can be used
- 1 sack of biochar it is optical but provides a good environment for microbes.
- 5l molasses, as energy source for microbes, syrup can be used
- 500g 0f yeast which is homemade or bought from a shop
- Minerals from ash, bone meal or rock dust.
PROCEDURE
- Choose a place for you bokashi pile: The place should be free from direct sunlight and rain
- Make a pale in layers: firstly make a layer of dry matter. Add a layer of manure and then layers of soil, biochar and bran. Get a separate bucket and mix 5l of water with molasses and yeast and stir well. Sprinkle some of this on the heap after each set of layers.
- Keep on making sets of layers and sprinkling the water mixed with molasses and yeast on the heap until you have used all the materials.
- After that now turn the heap and add more water. The essence is to get an even mixture that you can form a sausage with when you roll it between your hands. Add water to the heap and turn it, in case it gets too wet you can add more dry materials to it.
- In the first four days you are supposed to turn your heap twice a day, after that you can start turning it once a day. The bokashi is supposed to be ready after 12-15 days. When it is not any hotter than the surrounding.
How to use it: Application of bokashi differs according to the types of plants
In crops like rape, kales and lettuce you can put one handful of bokashi on each crop.
In cabbage or cauliflower two handful off bokashi and in crops like tomatoes or egg plants you can apply three handful of bokashi.
Make sure the bokashi doesn’t go in direct contact with the roots of small plants and you can apply the bokashi up to every two weeks to your crops.
Now you have known how to make bokashi using effective and simple way, therefore reducing the environmental impacts by turning organic wastes into nutrient rich compost, with a few steps and ingredients, make your own bokashi and enrich your soil.