Growing interest in composting

(From left) Rozali briefing Abdul Rahman about the composter machine at the Seberang Prai Municipal Council headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam.— Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

IN time to come, the official residence of the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri in Jalan Utama, George Town, will churn out compost made from food and organic waste.

The Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) has presented two units of the Economical Food Waste Composter (EFWC) machine to Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas for use at his residence.

MPSP president Datuk Rozali Mohamud said he was excited after Abdul Rahman expressed interest in having one of the units set up in his residence.

“We are thrilled that our Penang governor not only supports the state’s green initiative, but also wants to be part of it.

“MPSP will help instal the composter machines at the workshop for fertilisers and gardening tools at his residence.

“We will also provide necessary training for the workers there on the proper way to use them,” he said after presenting two units of the composter machines to Abdul Rahman during the Seberang Prai Community Gardening competition 2019 launch at the MPSP headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, recently.

The composter machine is an innovation by MPSP and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

Each machine comprises a big plastic drum equipped with a mixer in it, a fan on its side and a wire mesh opening on its back.

“As much as 50kg of organic waste can be loaded into the machine to produce compost within five days.

“Food and kitchen waste are processed in the machine, and the motorised mixer and added aeration will help to speed up the composting process.

“This way, organic waste can be transformed into beneficial compost fertiliser,” he said.

Earlier, Abdul Rahman launched the competition which is aimed at recognising farmers who managed their farms well by using proper technology, experience and marketing methods.

Participation is open to all community farmers on the mainland including 30 farmers in MPSP’s record, and closing date to register is April 30.

Cash prizes worth RM2,900 are up for grabs and the results will be announced in November.

Each participant will be given 50kg of compost as an incentive to farm organic vegetables.

Also present at the ceremony was UPSI Community Transformation Centre director Assoc Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin.