Oyster Shells Transformed into Fertilizer Pellets by Surat Thani Community.

Surat Thani: The Ban Puang Phatthana Community Enterprise Group in the Kadae Subdistrict of Kanchanadit District has innovatively converted oyster shells, recognized as a geographical indication (GI) product, into pelletized fertilizer. This initiative not only provides an eco-friendly solution to waste management but also boosts the group's income by selling these fertilizers for use on various plants. According to Thai News Agency, the Kanchanadit District, particularly Ao Ban Don, is renowned for its oyster farming, being the largest in the region. Once the oyster meat is consumed, the shells are often discarded as waste by local businesses. The Ban Puang Phatthana Community Enterprise Group has developed a method to transform these shells into valuable fertilizer. The process involves burning and grinding the shells into a fine powder, mixing it with rice washing water, and then forming pellets using a machine originally designed for fish food production. These oyster shell pellets are subsequently sun- dried and packaged for sale at 25 baht per kilogram. The fertilizer is particularly favored for use on durian trees due to its nutrient-rich composition. It offers multiple benefits, including soil condition improvement, calcium enrichment, soil fertility enhancement, fungus prevention, and mineral addition. The pellets also help mitigate soil acidity and address common plant ailments such as curled leaves, yellow leaves, and rotten roots. Saisuda Kanchanaphanit, president of the Ban Puang Phatthana Community Enterprise Group, initiated the production of oyster shell fertilizer pellets after observing the revitalization of plants around her home. Initially unsure of how to dispose of the leftover oyster shells from her farming activities, she experimented by crushing them into powder and using them on her plants. The positive results led her to propose the idea as a supplemental business to the group members. Interested parties can contact the group at 062-051-7944 or 095-419-6920 for further information.