To produce organic fertilizer, local composting facility partners with Indian firm

CEBU, Philippines - A local composting facility has partnered with an Indian firm to launch a comprehensive organic fertilizer product, sourced from biodegradable wastes.

The BioNutrient Waste Management Inc., and Prathista Industries Ltd India recently introduced the Nutridenz product, a 100 percent bio-available organic fertilizer in Cebu.

With this introduction, partner companies have already submitted to the Cebu City government its proposal to process its market wastes and hope to be granted a favorable response to serve the city.

Emma Ramas, BioNutrient business development manager said that since January of this year the company has been working with the Department of Public Services (DPS), without a service contract, processing biodegradable wastes from Carbon market, which the company delivers to the Inayawan composting facility.

To date, the company has processed more than 400 tons of wastes from Carbon Public Market in Cebu City.

Bio Nutrient Waste Management Inc., started as a home composting facility in a vacant lot in Lahug, Cebu City in 2011,  processing mostly from the commissary of a catering company.

With the ultimate aim of Zero Waste by converting wastes into something useful and productive, Ramas said it has expanded and moved its operations to Inawayan, adjacent to Cebu City landfill, in a 3,854 square-meter property in 2012.

Today, the composting facility has the capacity to process 40 tons per day of biodegradable wastes mostly from Carbon public market-the largest biodegradable waste generating market in Cebu.

With technical collaboration of Prathista Industries Ltd. India and Philippines, BioNutrient Waste Management Inc., has produced and blended a complete nutritional fertilizer using the compost from Carbon Market wastes.

According to Ramas, the product is packed in 25-kilogram and 10-kilogram bags bearing the brand "New Suryamin."

"With this product, the local farmers can avail of a complete nutritional fertilizer 100 percent bio available and eco-friendly but only 1/3 of the price of Prathista imported brand," Ramas said.

Bio Nutrient Waste Management is hoping for the support of the general public and the government, most particularly, the Cebu City government, Ramas said.

Bio Nutrient Waste Management Inc., was incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2013.

The partner company, Prathista industries Ltd., on the other hand, is an Indian based multinational company involved in manufacturing and marketing of eco-friendly products from Agriculture, veterinary/poultry, pharmaceutical and neutraceutical sectors.

Prathista is considered as Asia's largest industrial fermentation plant to manufacture various organic fertilizers and pesticides.

Through former Department of Agriculture secretary William Dar, the company's Philippine partner, Prathista Industries Ltd., has been distributing products in the Philippines since last year. (FREEMAN)