Vincent Schmitt1, Priyanie Amerasinghe2, Dionys Forster3, Bharadwaja Vadloori2, Urs Niggli3

Background and rationale

Hyderabad's current urbanization rate is 4.7 %. This has resulted in benefits, but hasalso led to pollution problems associated with solid waste management. Urbanizationhas also impacted peri­urban agriculture, with land fragmentation and high productioncosts. This paper looks at opportunities for improved sanitation, entrepreneurdevelopment and soil enrichment for increasing agriculture productivity, by recyclingthe organic waste of city municipalities.

Objective

The aim of the study was to revitaliseperi­urban agriculture soils withorganic compost prepared from citywaste. The compost production was tobe facilitated by the establishment ofdecentralised small­scale businessesthat would convert waste intocompost, improving urban sanitationand livelihood enhancement.

Material and methods

In August 2011, a multi­stakeholderplatform comprising GreaterHyderabad Municipal Corporation(GHMC), International WaterManagement Institute (IWMI) and awomen's self­help group developed aplan of action to develop a public­private partnership. Small­scalecomposting units were implementedafter participatory diagnosis of viableprocesses, identification of promotersand demand for compost. Anagronomic trial was performed toillustrate the benefits of using organiccompost, in vegetable production.

­ In the municipality of Patancheru (GHMC),the organic fraction of the municipal waste isestimated at 14'280 kg per day. Assuming areduction of volumne of 75%, 13'035 kg N,3'911 kg P, and 11'732 kg K could be recycledper annum (Figure 1).

­ The GHMC administration played a key rolein the identification of suitable beneficiaries.They provided the space, water, and transportfor the composting plant.

­ The promoter group (Figure 2) was trainedon windrow composting method (Figure 3).Their entrepreneur skills were developed overa period of six months, were registered as awelfare society, which allows them to receivesubsidies.

­ Municipal organic waste can be successfullycollected in the municipality (Figure 4). Thewaste had less C­rich materials and had to besupplied from agriculture biomass. Brandingof the product was attempted to supply thelocal market (Figure 5).

­ On­farm trial revealed that the spinach leaveswere significantly longer and wider in compostplots. The standard deviations were smallerindicating the greater resiliency of compostapplication. Cabbage and tomato did not showany significant difference.

Results

Figure 1: Municipal wastedumped on the road side

Figure 4: Waste collection

Figure 2: Promoter group

Figure 3: Workshop

Figure 5: Branding thecompost product

Figure 6: On­farm trial

Conclusion

The recycling of organic waste is feasible, if it can be organised in a participatorymanner. Yet, in order to improve peri­urban soils, the final product has to bepopularised, as the beneficial effects are not well known. Coupled with demonstrationtrials and awarness campaigns, such partnerships can thrive, and be an effectiveproposition for reducing pollution within cities.

The results are part of a study titled “Fertile Soils for Peri­Urban Agriculture in Hyderabad” funded by Lonza Ltd, Switzerland

1 University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany, 2 International Water Management Institute, Hyderabad, India,3 Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland

Improving peri­urban soils with re­cycledorganic city waste: A case study from India