THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When it comes to charity these students don’t mind getting their hands dirty. The volunteers of the NSS unit in Government Vocational Higher Secondary School(GVHSS) at Poovachal are funding their charitable activities in a novel way-selling organic manure, bio-pesticides etc.
Banking on the popularity of animal dung as an excellent organic manure, the students developed their own brand called ‘Manure Mix’. The students get the raw material for their product from the animal farm near their school.
Back Farm at Vattiyoorkavu raises cows, goats, buffaloes, ducks and hens. The students collect animal dung and poultry droppings from the farm along with biowaste compost. They then mix everything together to make the organic manure. The entire process was carried out during the vacations.
‘Manure Mix’ is a mixture of cow dung, goat and poultry droppings in a specific proportion. A one kilogram packet is being sold at Rs 40. One bottle of bio pesticide, a mixture of bird’s eye chilli, diluted soap and goat urine, costs Rs 55. Dung milk is made using cow dung, urine and colostrum of a milching goat.
This is used as a bio-nutrient to boost the growth of the roots. According to the volunteer secretary Gokul Krishnan, the products command a good demand. He said they can increase their capacity by procuring bio waste from markets. “We wanted to make steady income out of the sales from our products,” said programme officer, Sameer Sidhique. The team has been attending various exhibitions in the city with their products. They are now looking for a permanent sales counter in the city.
Benefits of cow manure
The manure is used as a fertiliser, an efficient fuel, biogas producer, a useful building material, a raw material for paper making, an insect repellent and a disinfectant. It is rich in minerals, especially nitrogen, phosphorus. It can support the growth of beneficial microorganisms when it’s mixed with soil. Manure can also improve the texture of the soil and helps maintain moisture.