About the Project

Consumer perceptions regarding human health, animal welfare and environmental protection are major reasons for the increased demands for organic production. However, high production cost and high premiums for organic products are the main factors preventing rapid expansion of organic food consumption nationally. As a candidate country, Turkey, for instance, is also preparing a rural development strategy of which sustainable production will be an essential part. On the other hand organic fertilizers and composts are the main input in Organic Agriculture. Composting is a great way to evaluate agricultural waste and contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed in a process called composting. This process recycles various waste products and produces a soil conditioner which is called compost. Compost is rich in plant nutrients. It is beneficial for the soil in many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, as a natural pesticide . It reduces soil erosion, prohibits soil deterioration and degradation At the simplest level, the process of composting requires mixing green wastes (leaves, grass, and food scraps) with brown wastes (straw, dry leaves, tree branches) and waiting for the materials to break down into humus after a period of months. In a scientific manners, composting required measured inputs of water, air, and carbon and nitrogen rich materials. In order to allow an increase of production of both organic and conventional agricultural products as well as soil health, it is necessary that compost making training courses will be made available for farmers. Therefore educating farmers on compost making to maintain soil conservation and to teach preparation of an organic agricultural input will be the main objective of this project. Materials used for composting are leaves, grass clippings, brush trimmings, pine needles, wood ashes, seaweed, manure, agricultural wastes (rice straw, wheat straw, corn cobs, etc), olive pomace, any non-animal food scraps: fruits, vegetables, peelings, bread, cereal, coffee grounds and filters, tea leaves and tea bags (preferably minus the staples), old wine, pet bedding from herbivores (rabbits, hamsters, etc.), dry cat or dog food, dust from sweeping and vacuuming, dryer lint, old herbs and spices The ultimate goal of the the project is to contribute to improve soil health as well as organic production through teaching compost making. The operational objectives are as follows; Establishing long-term cooperation and partnership relations among partner countries in composting sector, Further developing the best