Insights into organic waste management practices followed by dairy farmers of Ludhiana District, Punjab: Policy challenges and solutions

Abstract

The study was conducted in Ludhiana District of Punjab (India) to understand the organic waste management practices followed by dairy farmers of the area. To investigate the practices pertaining to organic waste management, an ex-post facto research design was used and a total of 80 dairy farmers were selected randomly for the study, grouped as small and large dairy farmers. Results revealed that the majority of the farmers were using paddy straw as animal bedding followed by in situ burning. As far as paddy stubbles were concerned, most of the farmers were mulching them followed by in situ burning. All farmers were found to be using wheat straw as livestock feed and mulching wheat stubbles. For household waste, the majority of the farmers were found to be feeding kitchen waste to their livestock, preparing farmyard manure from garden waste and paper waste. For dairy waste management, all the farmers were preparing farmyard manure from dung and discarding livestock urine in drains. A little more than half of the farmers were producing biogas from the dairy waste. The majority of the dairy farmers of the research area were found to have low organic waste utilization scores. Relational analysis was carried out and social participation and knowledge level were found to be highly significant ( p < 0.01) with a positive effect on the organic waste utilization score. Therefore, the study was concluded with the impression that the knowledge level of the farmers needs to be enhanced for better and effective utilization of organic waste.

Augmentation of farmers’ income in India through sustainable waste management techniques

“…Keeping in light the objective of the study, a ‘case study’ research design was used to calculate the economics related to traditional composting, vermicomposting and biogas production. A case study research design was chosen for the study as there were very few progressive dairy farmers in the study area who were pursuing vermicomposting and biogas production (Singh et al, 2020). Moreover, case study provides a quick snapshot into the practice compared to other methods.…”

“…Apart from the primary produce of livestock, namely, milk, meat, eggs, fibre, etc., waste is obtained as secondary product daily, which can be processed and used for income generation. Though rural areas generate less waste as compared to urban areas, these wastes being organic in nature can be used to obtain remunerative product through various sustainable organic waste management techniques such as composting, vermicomposting and biogas production (Singh et al, 2020).…”

“…These techniques can be followed by both literate as well as illiterate farmers and the general public for managing organic waste, varying from small to large quantities. Singh et al (2016a), Singh and Rashid (2017) and Singh (2019) have discussed traditional composting, vermicomposting and biogas production as sustainable organic waste management techniques. Composting is a biological process of ‘rotting’ or ‘decomposition’ of organic matter by micro-organisms under controlled conditions that include a thermophilic phase (45–65°C) during which labile organic matter degradation occurs and pathogens are effectively reduced (Tognetti et al, 2005).…”

“…However, the quantitative analysis of waste management techniques leading to increase in farm income is comprehensively discussed in the Results section of this paper. Furthermore, it has been reported by Singh (2019) that the literacy level of the farmers also plays a positive role in augmenting their income. The farmers with high education level are more aware, thus they welcome the social change and adopt better practices of waste management.…”

“…Contrarily, the farmers with low education level have low income levels due to their timid nature in accepting modern techniques of waste management. Singh (2019) and Singh et al (2020) reported that 100% of the farmers were composting dairy waste, but farmers with good educational status were either utilizing the waste through vermicomposting or biogas production, thus earning better profits.…”