Meet Daniel Larkai, our Senior agronomist At Safisana. In his spare time he is an active home and kitchen gardener growing fruit and vegetables for his wife and children. On facebook he is know as the eden agronomist, a popular account with farming tips and tricks. Here he explains how the use of Compost can lead to cost savings.
Using compost can result in long-term cost savings by increasing soil fertility, lowering the demand for synthetic inputs, and encouraging sustainable agriculture methods.
These are five reasons why adding compost to the soil saves money:
1. Nutrients: Compost serves as a great source of nutrients for plants. It contains a variety of vital elements, such as micronutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can deliver these nutrients to plants in a slow-release form by adding compost to the soil, which eliminates the need for synthetic fertilizers. This may result in lower fertilizer purchase costs.
2. Water: Less irrigation is required because compost increases the soil’s capacity to hold water and keep moisture. Compost-enriched soils offer better water infiltration and less runoff. This means that plants growing on soil that has been treated with compost need less irrigation, which lowers water use and costs.
3. Pesticides: Suppression of plant diseases and pests: Beneficial bacteria found in compost can reduce some plant diseases and pests. Adding compost to the soil can strengthen the soil’s built-in defences and provide a healthier habitat for plants. This could decrease the requirement for toxic pesticides or fungicides, which would save money on pest management inputs.
4. Recyclable: Composting enables the recycling and reuse of organic waste materials, including food scraps, yard debris, and agricultural residues, lowering the cost of garbage disposal. You can cut waste disposal costs and possibly enjoy lower waste management or tipping fees by keeping these products out of landfills and turning them into compost.
5. Increased plant productivity and yield: compost offers a conducive environment for plant development. It enhances the availability of nutrients, root development, and soil health, which increases plant productivity and yield. Better returns on investment as a result of a better yield can outweigh the upfront expenditures of applying compost*Please note that the cost savings linked to compost application might change based on elements including compost quality, application rates, particular crop requirements, and regional conditions.