Tropentag 2023, September 20 - 22, Berlin, Germany "Competing pathways for equitable food systems transformation: trade-offs and synergies."

Importance and effectiveness of waste decomposer in biodegradable and agro-waste management in context of Nepal

¹Nepal Agricultural Research Council, National Soil Science Research Center, Nepal
²Community of Evaluators, Nepal (CoE-Nepal), Nepal

Abstract

Solid waste is byproduct of human activities which tends to increase with rapid urbanisation, improved living standards and changing consumption patterns. If solid waste is properly used, it can be a valuable resource, but if it is not effectively managed, it can result in serious adverse impacts on environment and public health. The waste i.e. kitchen waste, and other biodegradable waste which can be useful to make a compost. Agro waste management in Nepal remains an important issue which still needs to be given more importance considering its policy gaps and management mechanism. Kathmandu Metropolitan city has focused on bio waste management in their annual policy and programme (2018/2019) but management ways are still unclear. Many farmers using different types of waste decomposers buying from the market to decompose the waste and to utilise it later as a fertiliser. Despite its promotion there remains a less understanding of how this bio decomposers are being promoted by the actors involved in the value chain. In this context, waste decomposers may be the option to decompose bio-waste materials quickly. Incomplete or immature composts cause many deleterious effects to soil, which in turn affects plant growth and ecosystem function. This study basically tries to understand what kind of waste decomposers are available in the market Nepal, what range of composition is being preferred by the users and the results of satisfaction by the users in terms of waste decomposer. Linking the findings with policy, this paper explores and identifies the gaps in terms of waste decomposers that policy can address and the areas that need to be addressed and considered for improvement at institution level for effective waste management.

Keywords: Waste, waste decomposer, waste management

Contact Address: Sabina Devkota, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, National Soil Science Research Center, Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, Nepal, e-mail: sabina.devkotagmail.com