As modern agriculture increasingly shifts toward sustainability and environmental friendliness, compost—also known as decomposed organic fertilizer—is becoming a popular alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers on farms of all sizes.
What is compost?
Compost is the result of the natural decomposition of materials like agricultural waste, livestock and poultry manure, plant residues, and more. Microorganisms break these down under controlled conditions of temperature, moisture, and material balance. Over time, the compost transforms into a dark brown, earthy-smelling substance rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes for plants.
- Manure-based compost (e.g. from chicken or cow manure)
- Waste-based compost (e.g. leaves, spoiled vegetables, sawdust)
- Mixed compost (a blend of various organic sources)
High-quality compost must be processed using proper techniques to eliminate pathogens and achieve high biological stability. It provides useful microorganisms and natural minerals, helping nourish the soil and support a healthy soil ecosystem—making it a sustainable and environmentally safe solution.
Why use compost instead of chemical fertilizers?
Improves and protects soil health
Chemical fertilizers deliver nutrients in mineral form that plants can absorb quickly. However, they lack organic matter—also known as humus—which is essential for maintaining long-term soil fertility. Prolonged and continuous use of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil compaction, reduced water retention, and an imbalance in soil microorganisms. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), no chemical fertilizer is entirely free from negative effects on human health or the environment, even when used in recommended amounts.
In contrast, compost naturally adds humus to the soil, improving soil structure, enhancing water and nutrient retention, and supporting healthy root growth. It also helps build up a population of beneficial microbes—a key factor in sustainable farming.
Boosts crop productivity
Plants grow best in healthy, nutrient-rich soil. Compost provides a steady, slow-release source of nutrients, reducing the risk of nutrient overload—a common problem when chemical fertilizers are overused. This leads to stronger, more uniform plant growth, deeper roots, fewer pests and diseases, and ultimately, higher crop yields and better-quality produce.
Lowers input costs and recycles farm waste
Using compost can significantly reduce the long-term costs of fertilizers and pesticides. Healthy soil enriched with organic matter and balanced nutrients helps plants resist pests and diseases naturally, which means less reliance on chemical treatments.
At the same time, producing compost from on-site materials, like livestock manure and organic waste, allows farms to cut input costs and make better use of available resources.
DELCO Farm’s closed-loop composting system using chicken manure in Bắc Ninh is a prime example of sustainable agriculture in action.
Adds value to agricultural products and meets export standards
Today’s export markets, especially high-demand ones like the EU, Japan, and South Korea, have strict regulations on chemical residues in agricultural products. Replacing chemical fertilizers and pesticides with compost helps ensure cleaner, safer produce, which can boost the commercial value of the harvest. This approach also aligns with the growing global trend toward circular and sustainable agriculture, which many countries are now actively encouraging.
Compost: A key to sustainable farming
Using compost isn’t just about replacing chemical fertilizers—it represents a shift toward a more ecological, cost-effective, and sustainable way of farming. With the right scale, access to local organic materials, and increasingly accessible composting techniques, compost is a practical and powerful solution. It helps farms improve soil quality, increase crop yields, and protect the environment—all while building a more resilient agricultural system.
