Enhancing organic agricultural production through beneficial microorganism and waste-water utilization technology: A concept project and futures thinking approach

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Research Paper 11/03/2024
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Enhancing organic agricultural production through beneficial microorganism and waste-water utilization technology: A concept project and futures thinking approach

Jomar L. Aban, Analyn V. Sagun, Jenilyn A. Asirot
J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 24(3), 72-79, March 2024.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2024; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

A multi-million organic agriculture innovation company in the Philippines was able to discover a bioactivator that enhances degradation and conversion of organic waste into fertilizers which can be used to improve plant growth and development. The problem is that many local communities are not aware of the functionality of this organic bioactivator. Because of this, majority of organic wastes are treated as something not useful and profitable. As a result, more than 50% of municipal wastes generated are organic wastes. The novel ideation in this concept project will contribute is the potential use of domestic liquid waste (laundry and dishwashing wastewater) to water backyard vegetables amended with the organic waste-now-turned-fertilizers, exploiting the ability of the BMB (beneficial microorganism bioactivator) to bioremediate wastewater to make it useful for vegetable production. Experimentation may be set up to compare vegetables grown in organic amended substrate versus those vegetables grown in organic amended substrates treated with liquid domestic wastes. If the bioactivators can provide a bioremediating effect, then plants grown in organic-amended-wastewater-treated will give more produce. This potential breakthrough will give multifold benefits; it will help local stakeholders generate more income through (1) organic fertilizer production; (2) re-use of wastewater and (3) organic vegetable production. Organic fertilizers are sold for 250 pesos per bag, wastewater re-use is estimated to save 250.00 pesos per household per day; and organic vegetable production is estimated to profit more than conventional vegetable production, based on published studies.

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