1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) - Germany

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture) - Kenya

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Ecociate Consultants (Ecociate Consultants) - India

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

Comments:

The application of city compost improves the soil health

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The use of city compost is a sustainable solution for addressing the problem of waste management and soil degradation. Under this technology, urban municipal waste is composted and used as organic fertiliser in agriculture. This relieves the cities’ waste management, enhances rural soils and in turn improves farm productivity.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In India, over 377 million people live in almost 8,000 cities or towns. They generate 62 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, according to the country’s government. More than 80% of such solid waste is deposited indiscriminately without treatment at dump yards in an unhygienic manner. In the Indian countryside, the ecological sustainability of agriculture has been at risk due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and monoculture since the ‘Green Revolution’ led to the degradation of land.

City compost is one of the solutions to both problems. Waste collected by municipal corporations is processed to make compost. During this process, organic waste is collected in the cities, recycled, processed to compost, and finally used as organic matter by farmers complementing the traditional farmyard manure. In such manner carbon that is contained in the waste is recycled back into the soil thus enhancing agricultural production.

Nashik Municipal Corporation in Nashik town of Maharashtra State in India has set-up a waste processing plant in the town. This plant processes the city’s organic waste into compost through a scientific process. The processed city compost is packed into bags of 50 kg each and these bags are supplied to fertilizer companies and further on to farmers. There are Government subsidies available to farmers for the purchase of compost bags subject to documentary proofs and other conditions.

Under the “Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security (ProSoil)” project of GIZ, farmers and FPOs (farmer producer organizations) have been supported for the application of city compost in their fields. Supported by the implementing agency WOTR (Watershed Organization Trust) the city compost application in farmer's fields in 3 districts of Maharashtra namely Ahmednagar, Jalna and Dhule has been introduced. Interventions covered more than 3000 farmers and around 1100 Acres of land. The entire intervention is implemented with the help of FPOs, which procured the city compost from ‘The Nashik Waste Management Centre’ and sold the procured material further to the farming communities. This has ensured easy availability to the farmers without incurring undue travel cost. Farmers applied the city waste compost in their farms during the month of May/June (before the onset of monsoon) to different crops.

City compost was applied to different crop combinations such as paddy-chickpea in Dhule District (moderate irrigation facility), greengram-sorghum in Ahmed Nagar District (Rainfed conditions) and soyabean-wheat in Jalna District (irrigated conditions). Farmers have seen the benefits of city compost across all crop combinations and geographies. The application of city compost has been of benefit to farmers in reducing the usage of synthetic fertilizers along with reducing the dependency on farmyard manure as it is getting scarce day by day. Farmers have also realized the improved soil health leading to better productivity of their farms.

The Indian government has also launched several initiatives to promote the use of city compost in agriculture. For example, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture provides financial assistance to farmers for the purchase of city compost, and the Fertilizer Control Order allows the use of city compost as a fertilizer. Although developing city waste as compost and its application in the farmer's field is a nascent approach from the India Government and other stakeholders, however looking at the availability of waste, the commitment of the Indian Government through its ‘Clean India Program’ and the vast issue of synthetic fertilizers usage and high subsidy burden, the use of city compost in agriculture has the potential to contribute to sustainable solutions in the area of waste management while improving soil health and reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers in India.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2021

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Developing city compost is a result of research by various agencies. However, the application of the city compost technology is part of the Pro-Soil project of GIZ.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

• Reduce municipal waste

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Comments:

The intervention is mostly applied on cropland.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

The rainfall pattern varied from location to location and farmer to farmer depending upon the accessibility to canals and availability of resources to lift the ground water. Most farmers in Ahmednagar are rainfed farmers while in Jalna they have some irrigation facilities.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• integrated soil fertility management
• waste management/ waste water management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Application of city compost is an agronomic measure as it needs to be applied every year and is closely linked to the agricultural cycle. The application of city compost adds organic matter to the soil and improves the soil fertility.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Application of city compost can significantly reduce the usage of chemical fertilisers in the soil as it can supply the required nutrients to the soil. It is also a relatively cheap option.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

INR

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

80.0

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

There are no establishment activities involved in the intervention as farmers are buying the city compost and applying it annually in their fields. The establishment of city compost plant is out of the purview of farmers and their institution.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

There is no establishment cost involved in the intervention as farmers are buying the city compost and applying annually in their fields. The establishment of a city compost plant is out of the purview of farmers and their institutions.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Purchase of city compost by FPO and transportation to the base location	April/May
2.	Selling of the city compost among the farmers	May
3.	Application of city compost in the field by farmers	May or early June
4.	Mixing of the city compost in soil using the cultivator or rotavator	May/June (Immediately after the application)
5.	Irrigation of the field	Mid June or at the onset of Monsoon (farmers having assured irrigation due with their own sources)
6.	Sowing of the seeds	June or early July
7.	Intercultural operations (Weeding, nutrient management, pest application, crop monitoring)	July-October
8.	Harvesting of the crops	October/November

Comments:

The timing of these activities may vary a bit based on the crops sown by the farmers or the onset of monsoon rains

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Application of city compost	Person days	2.0	300.0	600.0	100.0
Labour	Irrigation	Person days	2.0	300.0	600.0	100.0
Equipment	Hired machinery for mixing the city compost in soil	Hours	2.0	900.0	1800.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	City compost	Ton	2.5	1200.0	3000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					6000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					75.0

Comments:

The cost towards other operations such as sowing, intercultural operations, pest management and harvesting is not covered here as these costs are not directly associated with the documented intervention.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The cost of city compost is available at a subsidised price of INR 1000 per ton incl. transportation. Non-subsidised prices range at INR 3000 per ton plus transportation. Project farmers could get it at subsidised rates. However, the non-availability of required documents may be a hindrance for farmers to avail the subsidised prices.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The altitude of district ranges from 500 to 750 meter above sea level. Except a little over 4% area, most part of the district is plain area.

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soils vary from reddish brown to dark grey and are commonly grouped as light to medium black soils. In very few places deep black soil is also observed.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Specify:

As per the water samples collected by the Central Ground Water Board, 73% samples were reported as high salinity water (EC in the range of 750-2250 qS/cm). Please refer to: (http://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/Maharashtra/Ahmadnagar.pdf

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

A large majority of the area is a water scarce area with a dry long spell being a common feature. As indicated above the quality of water is also poor, which makes it even unusable for irrigation. During the last couple of years there has been enormous efforts to develop the surface water harvesting infrastructure in project areas.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The western hilly part of Ahmednagar District has forests. Teak, Babul, Dhavada, Haldu and Neem are trees found in these forests. Fruit trees like Mango, Tamarind, Amala, Bor are also found in the District.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Due to poor rainfall patterns and non-availability of irrigation, most farmers are in a position to cultivate only 1-2 food crops in the year. The prevalence of cash crops is very minimal. Farmers have been grouped into 4 farmer-producer organisations formed under the Pro-Soil Project. All of these groups have a good representation of women farmers.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Comments:

All the project farmers have land titles either in their name or their family members' name. These land rights are transferred among the family members as part of the Indian land transfer systems.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

Comments:

In terms of infrastructure and services, Ahmednagar is well-connected with most services. However, still there is a scope to improve these further to make farmers' life better.

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

Overall, city compost has replaced the usage of synthetic fertilisers

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

The off-site impact can be contributed in terms of the reduction of waste at the waste processing site. However, this may not directly be linked to farmers' application of city compost in their farms.

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	not known
seasonal temperature	winter	increase	not known
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	not known
cold wave	not known
extreme winter conditions	not known
drought	moderately

Comments:

The technology being very new its long-term impact of it is not well documented or assessed. However, compost in general is good for maintaining soil moisture and thus suited to the conditions of long dry spells.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

City compost does not have any establishment cost at the farmers' level. In terms of maintenance cost, it is beneficial to farmers both in short term and long run.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

1100

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

Comments:

Most of the farmers have paid the money for buying the city compost from FPOs. Support from the project has been towards creating awareness, setting up the demonstration plots and handholding of FPOs.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
A good replacement for farmyard manure (dung) as its availability is a challenge due to reduction in numbers of livestock
Improved productivity of major crops
Farmers have observed improvement in soil moisture and soil texture which indicates a better soil health

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
This is an excellent mechanism to promote the waste management and address this long-standing problem of the country
An economically cheaper option to meet the composting needs of farmers thus promoting the natural farming
A good business line for FPOs as city compost is generally not available in the market
In the longer run, regular application of compost can improve the soil organic carbon

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Currently available in Nashik city only which is 150 km from the project area	Collective procurement by FPO and selling it to its members
Prices of city compost are very high at the non-subsidised prices	Farmers can keep their documents updated to get the subsidised compost. Also put up an application to concerned authorities for continuation of subsidy.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Regular supply from the waste processing plants. Many such plants do not operate regularly due to internal and external reasons.	FPOs can undertake some longterm contracts with the company. Also in the long run they can set-up small plants for local-level composting.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

City compost in India – from waste to healthy soil

URL:

https://www.rural21.com/english/covid-19-dossier/detail/article/city-compost-in-india-from-waste-to-healthy-soil.html