The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Fish waste as plant supplement

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Saturday, Jul 04, 2009
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Fish waste as plant supplement

K.S. Sudhi

Photo: Vipinchandran

New finding: Researchers spraying locally-developed ‘foliar sprays’ on ladies finger plants at a laboratory of the School of Industrial Fisheries of the Cochin University of Science and Technology. —

KOCHI: Plant growth stimulants from fish waste — it’s the new organic way of farming being attempted at a lab in Kochi. A researcher at the School of Industrial Fisheries of the Cochin University of Science and Technology has offered to give ‘foliar sprays’ developed from fish waste.

Management of fish waste has been difficult in areas like the Aroor industrial belt and Kochi Corporation. Waste is found dumped on vacant plots or nearby water bodies. This has led to outbreak of skin diseases and other health hazards in Chandiroor and its adjoining areas.

It is estimated that the fish processing plants located at Aroor generate 128 tonnes of waste every day, and Kochi adds another 48.14 tonnes.

“The attempt was to create a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to manage the fish waste, which has been causing serious health issues,” said S. Abhilash, Principal Investigator of the project. The Science and Society Division of the Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi, has supported the project.

Foliar sprays are micronutrient mixtures sprayed on plants to accelerate their growth. The micronutrients are directly absorbed by the plant through the specialised cells under the leaves. Foliar spray is developed from fish silage, the liquefied fish protein made by adding formic acid to fish parts. The spray can be marketed and promoted as part organic farming, especially among gardening enthusiasts, said Mr. Abhilash. Cattle feed can also be developed from the fish silage.

Though some companies are marketing foliar sprays at Rs. 80 for 100 grams, the one developed by the lab could be sold at half the price, he said.

The researchers of the University are trying the spray on ladies finger plants farmed on the campus. They have also trained around 100 women in Kuthiyathode for the production of sprays and cattle feed. Attempts are also made to create a marketing network for the products.

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