The Department of Botany, Carmel College of Arts, Science and Commerce for Women, Nuvem – Goa organized a workshop on Kitchen Gardening on 24th July, 2022 as part of community outreach programme in the college auditorium. The objective of the workshop was to spread the knowledge of composting kitchen wet waste and using the nutrient-rich compost for growing vegetables and fruits organically thus marching towards self-reliance in an environment friendly manner. The resource persons for the workshop were Dr. Eleuterio Carneiro and Mrs. Juliet Vaz e Carneiro. A total of 52 participants of various age groups from across the state participated in the workshop. Ms. Meena Miranda Verdes, Head, Department of Botany, coordinated the workshop.
Dr. Carneiro explained the importance of being self-reliant in terms of food requirements in the present scenario. He explained various methods of composting including the composting process by the black soldier fly larvae. Dr. Carneiro demonstrated the use of khamba composter, composting bin as well as garden composter. He also demonstrated the preparation of bioenzyme, a fermentation product that can be used in the composting of wet waste without any foul odour.
Mrs. Carneiro explained about kitchen garden layouts. She emphasised on cultivation at different stories so as to ensure maximum availability of sunlight to plants in limited spaces using a colourful presentation on plants, fruits and vegetables from her own kitchen garden. She also explained the concept of plant nutrition and gave tips on how to identify nutrient deficiency symptoms and treat them using materials found in one’s kitchen.
At the end of each session, Dr. Carneiro and Mrs. Carneiro clarified many doubts and difficulties posed by the participants. The participants acknowledged the very informative sessions. Participation certificates were given to the participants.
As a follow up of the workshop, the participants have joined a WhatsApp group ‘Home Wet Waste Composting’ which will serve as a means for further discussion and solving of any difficulties related to composting and kitchen gardening as far as possible.