Navuso Tuaimeiapi, a dedicated farm advisor at the Mahuleva Organic Learning Farm Centre, is on a mission to transform farming practices through organic composting in Tonga. In his latest video tutorial, he provides a step-by-step guide in creating nutrient-rich compost that enriches soil and promotes healthy plant growth.
Navuso emphasizes the importance of using the right ingredients for a successful compost pile. Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:
Compost ingredients:
*Add 15cm length for each layer
- First Layer – Brown material: start with dry grass, which provides carbon and helps balance the compost.
- Second Layer – Green material: next, add green leaves, rich in nitrogen, to boost microbial activity.
- Third Layer – Dried seaweed: incorporate dried seaweed for trace minerals, enhancing the nutrient profile.
- Fourth Layer – Fresh cow manure: finally, add fresh cow manure, a powerful source of nutrients and beneficial microbes.
After layering, repeat the process one more time to build a robust compost pile.
To ensure your compost breaks down effectively, Navuso advises watering the pile lightly, keeping it moist but not soggy. This technique fosters the perfect environment for decomposition, leading to a rich, organic fertilizer ready to nourish your soil.
Navuso is one of five organic learning farm advisors operating farm centres in the Pacific region with support through the Pacific Organic Learning Farm Network Project (POLFN). The POLFN project is implemented at the Pacific Community (SPC) with the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community and is funded through the Kiwa Initiative. POLFN is dedicated to establishing a network of organic farms that exemplifies nature-based solutions such as agroecology, agroforestry, and various innovative organic production methods and technologies.
This was developed through SPC’s Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network Project, with support from the Kiwa Initiative. The Kiwa Initiative is multi-donor program with funding from the European Union in the Pacific, AFD - Agence Française de Développement, Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Kiwa Initiative has established partnerships with the Pacific-Community-SPC, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - SPREP and the IUCN Oceania
About POETCom
The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) is a not-for-profit organisation with active members, farmer associations, farmer support organisations, NGOs, the private sector, research institutions and works with governments across the Pacific Island region. POETCom is hosted by the Land Resources Division (LRD) of the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva, Fiji.
For more information, visit:
- The Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community
- The Kiwa Initiative - Climate Resilience in the Pacific Islands thanks to Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
- L'Initiative Kiwa - La Résilience Climatique dans le Pacifique grâce aux Solutions fondées sur la Nature (SfN)
Contact
Vilimaina Tamata, Communications Assistant POETCom, Land Resources Division, Pacific Community (SPC) | [email protected]
