In Chikkaballapur, a groundbreaking initiative is turning the daily accumulation of wet waste into a valuable resource for local farmers. The Chikkaballapur City Municipality, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Human Settlements (IIHS) and Godrej Properties, has launched the project titled “Solid Waste Management with Farmers’ Participation.” This innovative programme aims to convert the city’s organic waste into fertiliser, benefitting farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Currently, 225 farmers from villages within an 8-kilometre radius of Chikkaballapur—such as Ajjavara, Anakanuru, and Agalagurki—are actively participating in this initiative. Each day, these farmers receive between 6 to 7 tons of wet waste, significantly impacting their agricultural practices.
Chikkaballapur has a population of approximately 72,000, generating between 26 to 28 tons of solid waste daily. Notably, around 60% of this waste is wet, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for effective waste management. The project is designed not only to manage this waste but also to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers by promoting the use of organic alternatives.
To facilitate this, IIHS constructs 20-cubic-meter pits on participating farmers’ lands, capable of holding about 20 tons of wet waste. For farmers who raise livestock, they are encouraged to add manure and other organic materials, enhancing the composting process. IIHS manages the composting process in these pits once a month to ensure high-quality organic fertiliser.
Since the project began six months ago, it initially supplied four tons of wet waste to farmers. However, with effective community engagement and awareness campaigns—such as roadshows, street plays, and school programmes—the daily collection of wet waste has risen to 7 tons. Each farmer now receives a sufficient amount of wet waste for composting.
“The response from farmers has been overwhelmingly positive. We supply wet waste only to lands that are accessible by municipality vehicles to avoid logistical issues,” explained Kiran D.A., Project Manager of IIHS.
Farmers interested in receiving organic waste can reach out to the Environmental Department of Chikkaballapur City Municipality or contact Kiran D.A. directly at 99641 75380.
Despite the success of the initiative, challenges remain. The city produces about 15 tons of wet waste daily, but many residents still do not segregate their waste properly. Some continue to dispose of waste improperly, contributing to roadside dumping in areas designated as black spots by the municipality. P. Umashankar, the Environmental Engineer of the municipality, stressed the importance of waste segregation, stating, “If everyone separates their waste properly, we can provide even more wet waste to farmers. It’s essential that composting waste does not include harmful materials like plastic.”
The municipality is working on enhancing waste processing efficiency at their facility in Puttatimmanahalli, located about 8 to 9 kilometers from Chikkaballapur. They are identifying farmers in nearby villages to expand the initiative and increase the supply of wet waste. Kiran D.A. noted that farmers have expressed a growing need for more waste, indicating that the current supply is not sufficient to meet their agricultural demands.
This innovative organic waste management project not only addresses the critical issue of waste disposal in Chikkaballapur but also supports local farmers by providing them with a sustainable source of fertiliser. By promoting the use of organic materials in farming, the project fosters a healthier environment and enhances agricultural productivity, demonstrating the potential for effective waste management strategies in rural communities.