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Researcher eyes large-scale production of organic fertilizer
The production of organic fertilizer using stones and minerals found in Laos is in its infancy but experts believe largescale production will benefit both the economy and the ecology.
An agriculture expert from the National University of Laos (NUOL) told the
Vientiane Times on Monday about his feasibility study and successful
research.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Nhoth Ph achomphonh of the Agriculture Faculty's Postgraduate Department, who led the study, said he and other experts at the faculty
had been working on the project for 10 years and finally achieved the results
they wanted last year.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Nhoth
Phachomphonh holds a package of
ground peat.
He said the study revealed that millions of tonnes of nine types of stones and
minerals useful for fertiliser production are available in this country.
The minerals they identified are apatite, peat, guano, clay soil mineral,
dolomite, stone meal, lignite, illite, and silicate.
Dr Nhoth said he has invented 15 formulas of mixed minerals for use as organic fertiliser - two of which are very
effective. One is a mixture of apatite with peat, lignite and another six components, and the second mixes apatite with
peat, illite and another six minerals.
“The fertiliser can restore the quality of soil to give a yield of 6.5 tonnes of plain rice or 8.2 tonnes of glutinous rice per
hectare, while 30 to 60 tonnes of cassava can be grown using 300kg of the fertiliser per hectare of fertile soil. About
600kg is needed for one hectare of poor quality soil,” he said.
Dr Nhoth also revealed the price of the future product which he believes will benefit both the producer and the farmer.
“As production of the fertiliser involves natural resources, I propose the reasonable price of 80,000 kip per 50 kg bag,”
Dr Nhoth said.
He said some people involved in the project suggested pricing the product twice as high.
“I don't want the price to be higher because I think my suggestion benefits the producer sufficiently,” he said, showing
his business plan to Vientiane Times .
According to the plan, around 10 billion kip is needed to establish the business which includes the cost of building two
processing plants with the capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes per year, earning 16 billion kip.
Dr Nhoth said many foreign businesspeople had expressed a willingness to cooperate with him while he reaffirmed
his desire to provide farmers with sustainable techniques that are ecologically sound.
“My desire is to reduce chemical imports and agricultural production costs, protect the environment, and build selfreliance, self-sufficiency and capacity for our farmers in accordance with Party directives and government policy,” he
said.
By Somxay Sengdara
(Latest Update January 05, 2011)