Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Farmers use micro-organisms to recycle coffee pulp

Nelson Gamero talks to coffee farmers about micro-organisms.
On Oct. 25, UMF hosted a training session at its beneficio for coffee farmers to learn about micro-organisms and treating coffee pulp and coffee processing wastewater. The training, organized by the Honduran environmental organization UMA, was led by engineer Nelson Gamero of USAID-ACCESO.

UMF has been testing different ways to treat coffee pulp and turn it into organic fertilizer. Treating coffee pulp – the fruit that encases the bean and that is removed during processing – is an important way to reduce environmental impact in processing coffee. Untreated, this pulp is extremely contaminating to the environment. One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of untreated coffee pulp contains contaminants equal to a day’s worth of human excrement. The water used in processing must also be treated: 1 liter of untreated processing water contains contaminants equal to 15 liters of urine. If all of the coffee pulp in Honduras were left untreated, it would be as if a 2.6-million person city had no form of waste treatment.

Coffee pulp and processing water can be recycled as fertilizer, but they must be treated first in order to keep from acidifying the soil, producing odor, and contaminating groundwater. Here are where micro-organisms come in. There are different ways to break down coffee pulp into fertilizer, which we outlined in a previous blog post. The least-expensive option, while it takes some work and time, can be done with local materials: home-made organic product composed of locally-grown micro-organisms.

Farmers prepare micro-organisms to treat coffee pulp.
“We must learn how to take advantage of the things that we throw away,” Gamero said. Farmers can find these micro-organisms simply by going up in the hills and looking under a pile of decomposing leaves, for example. Once gathering an initial collection of micro-organisms, farmers can grow more and keep them in an air-tight container. These micro-organisms could also potentially be used for black-water treatment, compost piles, and even as a digestive tea.

UMF will work with farmers in its microloan and training program to build on this training session during the coming harvest. We will be distributing micro-organisms, teaching how to properly use them to treat coffee pulp and wastewater, and working with farmers to implement this technology to decrease environmental impact of coffee processing in La Unión.

11 comments:

  1. Keep a cautious take a gander at the fine print of a bike protection cite that guarantees low rates and great full scope. There may be something you are lost in that fine print. Cash Advance Chicago

    ReplyDelete
  2. These credits are liberally illustrated into secured and separated advances. Honest to goodness esatate holders why ought to fulfilling ensure any motivation driving slant as assention can control for these credits. The aggregate offered is demography into yearly the mass adoration present in the security. All around, this affirmation another offers a more prominent total at about low creative ability rates. Payday Loans San-diego

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you are a vivacious and continuing on person who other than has a course with particular people, you can in reality benefitting giving articles and articles to people and establishments who need a fiery stream of substance for their destinations and regions. The present vitality for Internet survey is made by the need of webpage boss to develop detectable quality and presentation for their things and relationship on the Internet. auto title loans near me chicago

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mother - she brought forth you, yet she did as such significantly more than that. She kissed your knee and dressed it when you smashed your bicycle. She stayed up until every minute of the night helping you write your research paper. She sat up with you and listened when you had your heart broken. Check Cashing Costa-mesa

    ReplyDelete
  5. To enhance your score, you should pay back your obligations at the very latest their due date. In the event that you spend the essential, you chance not having the capacity to pay back the obligation on time and may need your credit moved over. When this happens, you'll wind up paying a significantly higher loan fee. Payday Loans

    ReplyDelete
  6. Some times there may likewise be different records required which will rely on the individual credit loaning organization and their particular tenets. The borrower needs to enquire before going in for an auto advance about the required records from the chose money related credit loaning organization to rush the buy of the fantasy auto with no bothers. check cashing places in fresno

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thus, you can't advise all the business people that you are in all probability going to get an auto or truck without depending on financing until after you've thought of a sum. Make sure to get the sticker price on paper. Car Title Loans Chicago

    ReplyDelete
  8. On the off chance that you've attempted to get a credit through a bank loan specialist, there are different alternatives. Search online for moneylenders that may give you an individual credit. cash advance

    ReplyDelete
  9. The main things a bank searches for in figuring out if to endorse an advance are the character, guarantee, and credit of the individual applying for the advance. These three criteria tell the bank if there is any chance the individual won't pay back the advance, in this way putting the bank's cash at danger. cash advance chicago

    ReplyDelete
  10. Credit inhabitant lease loaning is an exceptionally concentrated venture saving money process utilized by NNN speculators to adapt the inherent estimation of a long haul lease. In some ways CTL advances are unclear from standard business contract advances, yet in other critical way they are altogether different. Cash Advance

    ReplyDelete
  11. The cutting edge history of credits began much later than these old times, obviously... it is, nonetheless, critical to understand that loaning began much sooner than numerous individuals would envision and has its cause in much more seasoned times. check cashing

    ReplyDelete