Organic farming is the latest trend being developed and used worldwide. In the Philippines, Organic farming are being implemented by several farmers and one of them is Capt. James Reanon. A full time commercial pilot and a part time farmer in General Santos City. He was able to implement this technology in their family farm that had produced great results.

His father had been producing bananas in their land for years, using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that caused the soil to slowly die. Capt. James, or also known as “Bong” once harvested rice from that land and saw that the grains were empty. This event became the turning point of his farming days.

He continued his study and research about organic farming to find out how it can be profitable and at the same time affordable for the farmers. He then learn of the process of vermin composting.

Under the shade of trees, he created a bin which he surrounded with hallow blocks and plastic lining. He placed wastes for decomposing, covered with banana stalks and coconut leaves to serve as additional shade and protection from natural predators. The leaves will then decompose and become food for the worms.

Vermin culture can be used for fruit bearing trees, ornamental plants, and other crops. It could help produce crops in a shorter amount of time, preserve the richness of the soil, and will prevent bugs and insects from destroying your vegetables.

Because of this practice in Bong’s farm, he then created the Compost Tea Brewer.

Compost tea is a water extract of compost that is brewed. The organism extracted from compost, the bacteria, fungi and protozoa, were given a chance to increase in number and activity using the soluble food resources and nutrients present in water.

There are two different but not mutually exclusive, ways of applying compost tea:

1. Compost tea can be applied as a foliar spray to: 

• Apply beneficial organisms to plant above ground surfaces so disease-causing organism cannot find infection sites or food surfaces (i.e. pro biotic approach)
  
• Provide nutrients as a foliar feed
  

2. Compost tea can be applied as soil drench to:

• Develop the biological barrier around roots (pro biotic approach)
• Provide nutrients for roots to improve plant gowth
• Improve life in the soil in general
• Improve nutrient cycling, nutrient retention and disease-suppresiveness

Benefits and effects of compost tea application:

• Disease prevention and treatment. When the beneficial microorganisms from the compost tea occupies the whole plant.
•  Area as a result of its application, plants are protected against disease causing organisms.
• Plants treated with compost tea are more resistent to pest attack
• It accelerates plant growth resutling to shortened cropping time.
• Promotes flowering and fruiting.
• Enormous number of microbes as multiplied by the brewer improves soil life when soil is drenched with tea, thus improving aeration, drainage and moisture retention.
• Quality of harvest superior than others in terms of physical and nutrient content being chemical free.
• 100% organic produce command higher market price.
• With time and continued compost tea application, farm inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides will be reduced, thus minimizing farm expenses.

For more information and inquiries about this invention, CLICK HERE .