Methods of Composting
Pit method: For pit method, the site should be selected near a cattle shed and a water source. The site
should be located at an elevation so that no rainwater gets in during the monsoon season. The pit should
be at least 8 m long, 2 m wide and I m deep. The material of composting like straw, crop residues,
vegetable residues or other organic wastes is spread evenly in the pit. A slurry of dung made with 4.5 kg
urine soaked earth and 4.5 kg inoculum taken from a 15-days old composting pit is added as al layer on
straw/composting material. Sufficient quantity of water (60-90%) is then sprinkled over the material. The pit
is filled in this way, layer by layer, and it should not take more than one week to fill the pit. Do not compact
the material in the pit. The material should be turned at least 3 times during the whole period of
composting, after 15, 30 and 60 days from filling the pits. It takes about 3 months to decompose all types
of organic matter. After the preparation of compost, it is spread in the field. Compost prepared by this
method is rich in nutrients and has 1.4 - 1.6% N. After the compost has been added, plough the field for
proper mixing with the soil.
Composting
NADEP method: NADEP is the modified method of composting. TO set up this unit, a perforated
rectangular brick tank of about 10’ x 6’ x 3’ needs to be constructed. The tank is filled up with layers of
agricultural wastes, dung and soil one above the other till the tank is full. The ground should be made
compact with slurry of dung to reduce seepage. This tank can accommodate 1350 Kg of agricultural
waste, 90 Kg of cow dung and soil and 1350 liter of water. Fill the bottom 15 cm with organic waste.
Prepare a slurry of cow dung by mixing 4 kg of dung in about 150 liters of water and uniformly apply it over
the first layer. Over this, spread evenly about 50-60 kg of soil. Sprinkle water so that the soil settles down.
This sequence can be repeated several times to fill the tank in 12-14 layers. The top of the tank is then
plastered with 7.5 cm thick layer of clay soil mixed with dung. Sprinkle water to keep the unit moist. Within
100-120 days the compost is ready for harvest.