Bokashi can be made from all organic materials. If you are living near paddy rice fields, then you must have plenty of rice straw available. This by-product in rice plantation can actually turned into bokashi, thereby increasing the value of the by-product. In fact, straw from gramineae plantation can also be used in place of rice straw.
Rice straw based bokashi is very popular in rice producing countries. This technology has helped to solve the problem of rice straw on rice fields. Straw produced after rice harvest is one of major problems faced by farmers because it needs to be removed from the field in preparation for the next planting season. Often times, the straw is simple burned by farmers which results in loss of organic matter and creates environmental problem. Using the straw in bokashi making does not only help in straw removal, but also creates a valuable product for economic and environmental benefits.
Here is how to make a straw-based bokashi.
- Rice straw (10 kg). Other straws can also be used as an alternative, including ground nut straw and field grasses. This material should be chopped into lengths of 5-10 cm.
- Rice bran (0.5 kg) and rice husk (10 kg)
- EM4 (10 ml or about 2 full spoons)
- Molasses or sugar (10 ml about 2 full spoons)
- Water as required
- Make a solution containing 10 ml EM4 : 10 ml molasses or sugar : 1,000 ml water. Warm water is the best for rapid dissolution of EM4.
- Mix the rice straw, rice bran, and rice husk on a clean concrete floor. Make sure to mix them thoroughly.
- Pour the EM solution, slowly and with a well mix, over the organic material (mix of rice straw, rice bran, and rice husk). When you do it well, you will a get a product with a moist contents of about 30%. Test this by taking a handfull of the materials and you should get a well formed materials without excess water. On touching, however, the material will be back to crumble. That is a good sign of mixing between the EM solution and the solid materials.
- Lay down the bokashi on a clean concrete floor with a height of 15-20 cm and cover it with a gunny bag or anyhthing that permits oxygen exchange between under the cover and the environment. Temperature under the cover should be about 40-50 degree celcius (please check this with a thermometer). If it reaches more than 50 degrees, remove the cover and do mixing on the materials. This is to disperse the heat. Put the cover back again.
- After 4 gays, bokashi making should have been completed. Longer times may be need for temperate regions during winter.
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