Zero-Waste Organic Farming: Kisii Farmers Turn Banana Peels and Coffee Husks into Biofertilizer

Smallholder organic farmers in Kisii and Nyamira counties are making waves with a locally led movement to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich biofertilizer. Farmers have begun using banana peels, coffee husks, and vegetable waste to make compost teas and vermicompost, enhancing soil fertility and reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers.

The Waste-to-Wealth Process:

1. Organic waste is shredded and mixed with livestock manure
2. The mix is inoculated with beneficial microbes and left to ferment for 3–4 weeks
3. The resulting compost is filtered into liquid biofertilizer (compost tea)

Each liter of the compost tea contains a dense mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK), and microbial colonies, boosting root development and pest resistance in crops.

Environmental and Economic Benefits:

• Cuts input costs by up to 60%
• Restores microbial diversity in degraded soils
• Farmers report 20–30% increase in crop yields (especially leafy vegetables and bananas)

The Kisii Organic Network is now documenting the formula for wide-scale replication and exploring bottled organic fertilizer packaging for local distribution.

This circular economy model is not only improving livelihoods but also advancing Kenya’s commitment to climate-resilient, regenerative agriculture.