Compost-making manual for the Tropics

The need for maintaining and improving soil fertility m the Tropics and sub-tropics has never been greater. But it needs to be done without recourse to expensive inorganic fertilisers. So, the publication of 'Soil management: Compost production and use in Tropical and Subtropical environments' is timely. Teaching farmers how to recycle waste organic materials as sources of crop nutrients must be the key to putting agriculture on a more sustainable basis, and that is what this new publication sets out to do. The reader is asked to think of the compost heap as a living structure composed of millions of organisms: these are essential for turning organic wastes into valuable compost. The part each species plays and how it can be encouraged is well documented. Useful figures and photos illustrate every aspect of the process. There are comprehensive lists of the best materials to use, and suggestions for augmenting them if something is in short supply, such as night soil. Different compost making systems from around the world are discussed, from the Chinese High Temperature Stack through various heaps, and pits to the Mazibuko Trench system suitable for badly eroded soils. Finally there are suggestions for training and teaching extension staff and farmers. The manual is written in simple English without detracting from the science of the process. There should, therefore, be no problem for people whose first language is not English in understanding and learning from the manual. 'Soil management: compost production and use in Tropical and Sub-tropical environments'. Available from: FAO - Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome Italy'Soil management: compost production and use in Tropical and Sub-tropical environments'. Available from: FAO - Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome Ital