COMPOSTING OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTE IN COLÔNIA REUNIDA, PARAGOMINAS, PARÁ

Abstract

Composting in family agriculture proves to be an effective alternative for optimizing the waste generated in production units, while simultaneously reducing expenditures on external inputs. The objective of this study was to assess both the socioeconomic profile of family farmers and the sources of waste generation, as well as the methods of implementing composting in the production units of Colônia Reunida, situated in the municipality of Paragominas, Pará. The target audience comprised seventeen family farmers engaged in horticulture and duly registered with the Municipal Department of Agriculture of Paragominas. To achieve these objectives, structured interviews were conducted, employing a questionnaire divided into sections that addressed the socioeconomic profile, characteristics of the production unit, types of production, organic compounds used, and crops that benefited from organic fertilization. Regarding the workforce in the production units, a variation between 1 and 2 individuals (70.59%) as well as between 2 and 5 individuals (29.41%) was observed. The main organic residues employed in the composting process encompass poultry and corral manure, vegetative waste, and swine waste. Vegetables emerged as the primary crop benefiting from the application of organic fertilization. This study highlights composting as a promising strategy for family agriculture, not only to mitigate waste production but also to enhance the quality and sustainability of agricultural practices.