Management of Processing Waste by Producing Organic Fertilizer from Coffee Husks 2021

        The process of transforming fresh coffee cherries into parchment coffee generates residual material, specifically coffee cherry husks. Without effective waste management of this processing byproduct, it can negatively impact the local environment, such as causing unpleasant odors that disturb nearby communities around the processing plant, affecting the occupational hygiene of local residents, and allowing wastewater to flow into water sources, which can harm aquatic ecosystems.

        Driven by a philosophy of social enterprise and creating shared sustainable success, Meewana Company Limited is committed to minimizing the impact on the upstream ecosystem and environment. This is achieved by applying the principle of nutrient cycling. When we take the coffee cherries from the farm, which are created as coffee plants absorb nutrients from the soil to nourish the fruit, and use only the parchment-covered beans, the remaining coffee husks are composted and returned to the soil. The plants then reabsorb these nutrients, completing a balanced nutrient cycle.

• Actions and Results
1. Planning, Preparation, and Raw Material Management: Meewana Company Limited has its organic agriculture extension officers work directly with farmers to plan the management of coffee cherry husks suitable for composting. This includes ensuring the separation of husks and wastewater from the processing to avoid contamination.
2. Knowledge Coordination: Meewana Company Limited collaborated with an educational institution, Maejo University, to study and learn efficient composting processes.
3. Fertilizer Analysis and Development: Once compost was produced, samples were sent for nutrient analysis to compare its effectiveness with commercially available organic fertilizers and to identify ways to further improve the compost production formula for greater efficiency.
4. Wastewater Treatment: Each processing plant treats its cherry processing wastewater to control and maintain its quality, preventing environmental impact in the area and benefiting the community.

• Targets and Outcomes
In 2021, the targets and quantitative results of the operation are as follows:
• Total target = 213.43 tons / Total result = 242.83 kg, accounting for 114%

Photo of group members helping to produce fertilizer from coffee husks


Photo of members bringing fertilizer made from coffee husks back to use in coffee gardens

• Impact of promoting self-production of compost among groups/members for use in their coffee farms to reduce external fertilizer costs: In 2021, it was found that this initiative helped organic forest-conserving coffee project members reduce fertilizer expenses by a value of 1,367,670 baht.
• Plans for future development: For project members who do not engage in processing, efforts will be made to source other local materials for composting, such as corn stalks/coffee husks from milling, etc.