Nutrients found in fish waste can improve plant growth

By: Ellaine Kryss Hubilla

Fish Amino Acid (FAA) is a liquid made from fish waste. FAA is a great fertilizer for soil and plant leaves because it is rich in nitrogen which helps improve the growth of the crops during their vegetation period. This biofertilizer reduces the feeding cost of farmers since main ingredients, like fish waste, are usually free or can be purchased at low cost.

Any species of fish can be used, but blue back fish contains more amounts of proteins, amino acids, fatty acids that are recognized as healthy food. Examples of blueback fish are mackerel, salmon, tuna, and anchovy.

Materials:

1 kg. Fish waste like gills, scales, and/or offals of big fish (internal organs of animals used for food);

1 kg Molasses

Nylon screen

Empty container (20 litres capacity)

25 to 50 grams of stones (5 to 8 pieces)

Porous paper (newspaper, cardboard or manila paper)

Empty plastic container with lid

Procedure:

1. Collect fish waste. Clean and wash them, then drain for 5 minutes.
2. Slice the materials to an inch size then mix all parts thoroughly in a plastic pail with 20 litre capacity.
3. Add 1 kg of molasses then mix. Make sure that all parts are coated with sugar so that the juice can be extracted easily.
4. Cover the top of the mixture with a nylon screen then put heavy weights on top.
5. Cover the mixture with two layers of porous paper then tie with a rubber band.
6. Label the mixture bearing the name and date of fermentation then keep it in a dark, cool room for 15 days.
7. Open the mixture and extract the liquid.
8. Filter the liquid and transfer it to an empty plastic container with a lid but do not close it tightly. Loosen the cap to approximately one complete twist so fermentation can continue.
9. Completely close cap after a week or when the mixture has stopped bubbling.
10. The concoction is ready to use after extraction.

Dosage: 

Mix 2 tablespoons of FAA with 1 liter of clean water. In severe cases, double the dosage if needed.

Application:

For plants, prepare the same dosage; spray it on the soil, flowers, and fruits of the plants 1 to 2 times a week. 

For animals, mix it with their drinking water using the same dosage above, 2 times a week. It can also be mixed with their feed at the same frequency.

From the seminar titled Organic Farming for Newbies presented by Agricultural Engineer and a Registered Organic Farmer Martina Reyna, held at Agriculture Training Institute Elliptical Road, Quezon City.