NADEP Composting

Product Description

The NADEP Composting method of organic composting was developed by a Narayan Deotao Pandharipande of Maharashtra. This compost uses a wide range of organic materials such as crop residues, weeds, forest litter and kitchen waste with an end-product of a fertilizer that serves as a good alternative to farmyard manure. The composting tank construction is a rectangular brick tank with a 90-120 day decomposition time.

This method is free, requires a brick tank which price can vary depending on location.

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Resources Centre for Sustainable Development

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Rotary Drum Composting and Vermicomposting.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Constructed using locally available materials

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Users can use the open source design documents and implement the NADEP composting method.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Input requirement (volume and frequency)

Agricultural waste (Dry & green): 1350-1400 kgs; Cattle dung or biogas slurry: 98 – 100 kgs; Fine-sieved soil: 1675 kgs; Water: 1350-1400 liters.

2 feet additional added 1 time after 15-30 days per 90-120 days for full compost

Additives

Water, soil

Production capacity (kg output per kg input)

~907 kg compost output per 1350-1400 kg agricultural waste input

Production duration

90-120 days

Percentage of nutrient recovery

1.4% nitrogen, 0.8% phosphorous

Complementary treatment needed

None

Design Specifications

The recommended size of the tank is 10 ft length by 5 ft width by 3 ft height. All the four walls of the NADEP tank have 6 inch vents (created by removing every alternate brick after the height of 1ft. from bottom for aeration), and the tank may be constructed with mud mortar or cement. For good quality compost, the entire tank should be filled within 24 hours and not beyond 48 hours. Initial materials include agricultural waste (Dry & green): 1350-1400 kgs, cattle dung or biogas slurry: 98 – 100 kgs, fine-sieved soil: 1675 kgs, water: 1350-1400 liters. These materials are added in layers:

Sub-layer-1: 4 to 6 inch thick layer of fine sticks, stems, followed by 4 to 6 inch layer of dry and green biomass.
Sub-layer-2: 4 kgs cow dung is mixed with 100 liters of water and sprinkled thoroughly on the agricultural waste.
Sub-layer-3: 60 kgs of fine dry soil is spread uniformly over the soaked biomass.
Fill approximately 10 -12 layers using this method, and cover with 3 inches of thick layer of soil and seal with cow dung and mud plaster. Cover the tank with a thatched roof.

After 15-30 days add 2-3 additional layers, and moisten every 6-15 days. Decomposition time is 90-120 days.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

There is no technical support provided and users are expected to maintain the product on their own.

Replacement Components

None

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Reduced cash expenses on chemical fertilizer, improved soil fertility, and increased crop yield

Vetted Performance Status

Testing by S.V.P University assessed nutrient retention, S.K. Rajasthan Agricultural University assessed carbon loss, and additional testing for S.V.P. University assessed weed recycling through NADEP composting.

Safety

Implementers must take appropriate precautions when working with organic waste, particularly cattle dung, and ensure complete decomposition.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Kumar, S., at al., 2011, A Study on Design and Development of NADEP Compost Tank, Society for Recent Development in Agriculture 11(1): 207-209.

Kumawat, N., et al., 2018, Preparation of NADEP Compost for Sustaining Farming Community. Popular Kheti 5(4): 56-60.

Kumar, A., et al., 2012, Recycling of Harmful Weeds Through NADEP Composting. VEGETOS: International Journal of Plant Research 25: 315-318.

Verma, R., et al., 2014, Carbon and Weight Loss During Composting of Wheat Straw by Different Methods, Annals of Biology 30 (2): 354-357.

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Evaluation methods