Demand for 'Mo Khata' increases in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, July 29: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now 18 functional Micro Composting Centers (MCCs). The units are producing organic compost “Mo Khata” processed out of collected wet waste. As of now 11 metric tons of “Mo Khata” have been purchased by the customers. Three MCCs (for ward number 28, 29, 35 and 36) situated at NICCO Park have sold these two metric tons to the forest range Office, Bhubaneswar. With the cooperation of citizens, BMC has now come up with functional MCCs in different areas of its three administrative zones. In order to promote the sale and popularise organic compost, “MO Khata counter” was inaugurated by Chief Secretary of Odisha Suresh Chandra Mahapatra. The counter is managed by SHG members who sell the product and take advance orders for supply. Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) have been supplied the compost through the counter. MCCs are not only to produce compost but the scientific processing of waste in such units is an environment-friendly initiative. The Swachha Sathis engaged in these units have been trained about the quality control, sale and popularity of the product by BMC. Apart from private customers, now government organisations are also placing demand for it. Recently Project Director Watershed Khordha has placed an order of 40 metric tons of “Mo Khata” and it would be supplied soon. Continuous effort by “Swachha Sathis” and cooperation of NGOs has been quite helpful in the initiative; says Commissioner BMC, Sanjaya Kumar Singh.