Advantages of organic/Natural fertilizers.

Organic manure made from decaying pasture and cow waste

Organic fertilizers contain besides nitrogen and phosphor other minerals which can have a beneficial effect on the plankton growth.

Organic fertilizers have a very beneficial effect on the pond bottom. The adsorption capacity will be greatly increased (higher potential buffer capacity) and the microflora will be enhanced. However, an increase in bacteria is only beneficial if the C:N ratio is lower than 30. If this is not the case bacteria might use nitrogen components out of the water column to sustain their growth. In this case adding inorganic nitrogen fertilizers is recommended.

Organic fertilizers contain protein, fat and fiber. Fertilizer particles coated with bacteria can be used directly as food by the cultured species. Artemia, a non selective filter feeder obtains part of its food in this way.

Organic fertilizers often float (chicken manure). Therefore the loss of phosphor is reduced.

By using organic fertilizers one usually recycles a waste product, which otherwise would have been dumped

Adding fertilizer to garden soil is essential to replenish the 16 nutrients required to promote and sustain plant life. Growing plants feed on these elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and sulfur, throughout their development, and over time, the nutrient levels would be depleted if fertilizer were not applied. Natural or organic fertilizers like livestock manures, bone meal and vermicompost provide soil with these necessary nutrients and offer gardeners several advantages over traditional fertilizers.

Improved Soil Fertility

Besides simply adding nutrients to soil, natural or organic fertilizers also improve the quality and structure of the soil, which over the long term offers additional advantages like improved water retention and drainage. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, natural fertilizers like manures and wood ash also add organic matter and humus to the soil, which provide a constant and balanced supply of nutrients and improve root growth. In addition, organic fertilizers feed and sustain beneficial microorganisms that live in the soil, which chemical products often destroy by increasing acid levels in soil.

Less Processing Needed

Synthetic fertilizers require more processing than naturally derived organic fertilizers and are dependent on nonrenewable resources like petroleum, coal and natural gas. On the other hand, organic fertilizers are byproducts of animal and plant materials or mined from rock minerals. For example, plant-based fertilizers include corn gluten, alfalfa meal and seaweed, and common animal-based natural fertilizers include bone meal, fish emulsion, worm castings and animal manures. Natural fertilizers like poultry manure can be sourced directly from farms, while others like bone meal are purchased commercially. To ensure a product is natural, buy those with labels marked “natural organic” and “low analysis.”

Less Risk of Plant Injury

Because synthetic fertilizers provide high concentrations of nutrients to the soil, they can potentially injure young plants by damaging or burning their roots. Organic fertilizers, however, must first be broken down by soil microbes before their nutrients can be absorbed by plants. As a result of this slow process, the risk of overfeeding and burning plant roots when using a natural fertilizer is reduced. Of natural fertilizers, only fresh manures carry this burn risk, which is eliminated by first composting the manure before applying to soil.

Environmental Advantages

The slow-release nature of organic fertilizers also offers environmental advantages. For example, chemical fertilizers are water-soluble, which allows any excess unused fertilizer to be washed away by rain or heavy watering and eventually enter groundwater and pollute streams and lakes. Conversely, natural fertilizers improve moisture retention in the soil, making leaching less likely. In addition, ingredients in organic fertilizers are naturally biodegradable.

Safety

Although both synthetic and organic fertilizers may carry safety risks and must be used with care, ingesting chemical fertilizers can be especially harmful to children and pets. Therefore, when used as directed, organic fertilizers are a safer alternative. To minimize risk and to ensure the correct amount and balance of fertilizer is applied, have soil nutrient levels tested

Contributors: 

 Rachel Delp

Hunger forces Karimojong to sell animals

Publish Date: Oct 25, 2015

Cows in Kotido are being sold at giveaway prices and eaten as hunger ravages the region. The picture shows cows in Nakapelimoru sub, county in Kotido district. 

Photo By Francis Emorut                                                                                         

Struck by hunger, the people of Kotido district have been forced to sell their cattle so as to survive death from starvation.

The Karimojong treasure their cattle as A source of wealth and mostly used for marriage purposes.

"It's hard time for us (the Karimojong) because there is scarcity of food and we don't have any other alternative apart from selling our cows," John Awoja, the LCI chairman of Kalele village in Nakapelimoru subcounty, Kotido district, said.

Awoja explained the Karamoja area has been hit by dry spell and their crops have dried up and people are faced with hunger.

 Karimojong women and their children at Nakapelimoru sub county in Kotido district. Hunger gas ravaged the region in recent months. Photo by Francis Emorut

He said to make matters worse the animals are also dying due to the prong longed drought.

Kotido LC5 boss Adome Lokwi pointed out that if interventions to salvage food insecurity are not forthcoming soon deaths will be reported in his district as is the case in Moroto district. 

"There is food shortage everywhere and this has forced the people to sell their cattle so as to buy food," Lokwi said.

The residents buy cereals such as maize and sorghum and others after selling the animals which are loaded into trucks during market days. 

A Karimojong spears a cow to get blood and mix it with milk at Nakapelimoru sub county in Kotido district. The concoction is a delicacy . Photo by Francis Emorut

Andrew Teko, the chairman of Kanawat Cattle Market, noted that the Karimojong are forced to sell their animals cheaply in order to avoid deaths as a result of starvation.       

He explained that cows which used to be sold at sh800, 000 now go for sh500, 000 while a bull which used to fetch sh1.3m goes at sh1m.

In addition, goats which used to be sold at sh100, 000 are now sold at sh50, 000.

"The situation is terrible and we are worried of our children," Nariang a resident of Nakapelimoru said.

Angomo Etirae, a resident of Kotido, appealed to government to intervene before they lose their animals to businessmen in attempt to save lives.

"Government should intervene and rescue us from this food scarcity situation," Angomo said.

The residents made remarks on the sidelines of a meeting with Members of European Parliament who visited the region on fact finding mission on how pastoralists are coping with life due to impact of climate change.

The visit was organized by Coalition of Pastoralist Civil Society Organizations (COPASCO).

A Member of European Parliament Maria Heubuch (Green Party) noted that she will draw the attention of European Parliament about plight of pastoralists when she returns to Parliament while her fellow Parliamentarian Norbert Neuser stressed the need for government to avail the necessary infrastructure for the pastoral community.   

Nakiru a resident of Nakapelimoru expressed concern that more animals are going die as water points and pasture have dried up.

Lokwi explained that the district leaders are lobbying government and development partners to intervene and address food scarcity in the region.

Despite the hunger situation the people and their children are not malnourished but move on with life drinking blood mixed with milk and can afford wrestling and drink sachets of Waragi kept in a green Liverpool bag sold in the middle of the bush.

As far as communication is concerned the pastoralists charge their mobile phones in the bush using solar panels.

The food shortage has brought peaceful co-existence between the Karimojongs and Turakana from Kenya who were hostile to each other before.

Bags of maize are being exchanged for cattle at border between Uganda and Kenya.

Bradford Achilla the Kotido district veterinary officer explained that the animals are sold as far as South Sudan and in the districts of Mbale, Pallisa, Tororo, Lira, Gulu and Kitgum as well as the capital city Kampala.