The Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran is currently working on the production of compost from rice bran and straw so as to prevent its disposal through the environmentally harmful method of burning.
Each year, up to 5 million tons of rice bran and straw are produced in Iran, most of which is burned. The practice is among the biggest environmental problems of agricultural waste disposal in Iran, ISNA reported.
The institute has been conducting a comprehensive plan on quick production of enriched compost from agricultural and urban waste since 2007.
According to Gholamreza Salehi Jozani, an expert at ABRII, the technology of producing enriched bio-compost from urban waste has been developed and transferred to Isfahan Municipality.
The technology enables the production of the material in one month (down from six months) while the final product is of a better quality.
"The fertilizer meets national and international standards and is free of any infection for humans and plants and any unpleasant smell," he said.
The technology of producing enriched compost from sugarcane bagasse, which was a main issue for sugar factories, has also been developed by the institute.
"Using rice bran and straw to make the fertilizer is next on ABRII's agenda," said Salehi.
The expert lamented the lack of high quality equipment for the production of the material in Iran and the numerous challenges facing the industry.
"Due to shortages, the manufactured compost is often of poor quality while its production process is uneconomical," he said.
Besides, the process often takes three to six months and the product gives off an unpleasant smell.
Benefits of Rice Bran Compost
One of the most eco-friendly methods of disposing solid agricultural and urban waste is by turning it into compost, an organic fertilizer.
Compost is an organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil enricher. It is a key ingredient in organic farming and a perfect replacement for chemical fertilizers.
While the organic compost enhances the soil to create a beneficial environment for plants, fertilizers overload the soil with nutrients. Chemicals in fertilizer can upset the symbiotic relationship of microbes in soil while compost is a naturally balanced mixture of microorganisms that provide a healthy medium for plant growth.
Based on statistics, the amount of organic carbon in soil is less than 1% in 60% of farmlands in Iran. This is while the amount required for sustainable development has been determined at 3%.
The Agriculture Ministry has been tasked with boosting the organic carbon levels by an additional 1%.
"The production of organic fertilizer is an effective method of adding the vital nutrient to soil," he said.
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