INSTITUTIONAL COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Sector : Agriculture and Fishery

Qualification Title : Organic Agriculture Production NC II
Unit of Competency : Produce Organic Fertilizer
Performance Test

Specific Instruction for the Trainee:

Qualification ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION NCII

Unit of Competency PRODUCE ORGANIC FERTILIZER

General Instruction:

Given the following tools, materials and the required resources, you must be able to
perform the following tasks based on the provided copy of specific instruction for the
trainee. With in one (1) hour

Specific Instruction:
1. Prepare composting site
2. Gather raw materials base on instruction given
3. Prepare raw materials as instructed
4. Perform composting
5. Harvest compost
Demonstration Checklist
Trainee’s name:
Trainer’s name:
Qualification: ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION NCII
Unit of competency: PRODUCE ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Date of assessment:
Time of assessment:
Instructions for demonstration

Given the following tools, materials and the required resources, you must be able to perform
the following tasks based on the provided copy of specific instruction for the trainee. With
in one (1) hour

 to show if
DEMONSTRATION evidence is
demonstrated

Yes No N/A
During the demonstration of skills, did the trainee ...
LO1. PREPARE COMPOSTING AREA AND RAW MATERIALS

Selects site based on compost fertilizer production requirements.

Prepares site lay-out based on location.
Prepares bed in accordance with production requirements
Gathers materials based on production requirements and PNS for
organic fertilizer.
Prepares raw materials following enterprise procedure and PNS for
organic fertilizer.
LO2: COMPOST AND HARVEST
Applies appropriate composting methods based on production
requirements.
Checks quality of harvest based on PNS indicators of fully
decomposed fertilizer.
Performs record keeping according to enterprise procedure.
The trainee’s demonstration was:

Satisfactory  Not Satisfactory 

Oral Questioning Checklist
Trainee name:
Trainer name:
Qualification: ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION NC II
Unit of competency: PRODUCE ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Date of assessment:
Time of assessment:
Instructions for Oral Questioning
The trainee will be assessed based on his/her answers to the given questions. The
trainer should not deviate from the standard questions provided herein.
Oral Questions Satisfactory
response

The trainee should answer the following questions: Yes No

1. What is the characteristics of composting for fertilizer

production?
2. How to prepare bed in accordance with production
requirements?
3. How to apply appropriate composting methods based on
production requirements?
4. Monitors compost based on PNS indicators of fully
decomposed fertilizer
5. Carries-out processing of compost fertilizer based on
production requirements.
The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was:

Satisfactory  Not Satisfactory 

Feedback to trainee:

The trainee’s overall performance was:

Satisfactory  Not Satisfactory 

Trainee’s signature: Date:

Trainer’s signature: Date:

Suggested Questions with Answers for Oral Questioning

Questions with Model Answers

1. What is the characteristics of composting for fertilizer production?

A. Good drainage system
B. Availability of water supply
C. Proximity to the source of raw materials
D. Accessibility of the composting site
E. Area with minimal sunlight

2. How to prepare bed in accordance with production requirements?

A. Wormbins/wormbeds may be made of any material available whether iron
bars with plastic lining, old plastic basins, bamboo slats or hollow blocks.
B. Prepare the bed by selecting the site that is shaded, free from predators
and near to the water source. Arrange the hollow blocks making a bed of 1m
x 3m and put bamboo stakes to strengthen the bed. Used sacks and nylon
net could be used as matting. Other materials that may be needed in the
stocking of the bed are: Water and water sprinklers, plastic sheets to cover
the bed.

1. How to apply appropriate composting methods based on production requirements?

A. Anaerobic Decomposition
Place the substrate in containers as airtight as possible or covers it with
plastic sheet. This is the anaerobic process which is to hasten
decomposition. This is composting without air, hence the name. This stage
may last from one week depending upon the quantity being processed
and the size of the particles.

B. Aerobic decomposition
When the substrate has cooled down, place the substrate in appropriate
container or remove the plastic sheet in the bed. This next phase is called
the aerobic stage or composting with air.
Aerobic decomposition lasts for 40-60days depending on the materials used
and the ratio of the worms to the substrate. Five kilograms of substrates is
enough to feed a kilogram of worm for a month. Within the period, moisten
(not soggy) the substrate regularly to provide the right moisture (60-80%) for
the earthworm to grow and multiply.
2. Monitors compost based on PNS indicators of fully decomposed fertilizer .
A. Maintain humidity of 80%. Protect the worms from natural predators.
Birds, chickens, frogs, mice, snakes, and even pigs love to eat earthworms.
While ants do not eat worms, they can kill your population if left
unattended. Shade the worms from direct sunlight. Worms have no skin
and cannot withstand direct sunlight. Loosen the substrate gently and do
not allow it to get compacted. The constant watering of the beds will
compact the substrate. Loosen the beds very gently when needed taking
care not to disturb the worms too much.

3. Carries-out processing of compost fertilizer based on production requirements.

A. Compost is ready to use when it is dark brown, crumbly and has an
earthly smell.
B. To check if it is 30% humidity, place some vermicompost in your hand and
squeeze to form a ball. Open your palm and apply some pressure with the
index finger of the other hand. If the ball breaks easily into two to three
parts, that is about 30% humidity. If the ball crumbles easily, that is less
than 30%.If your finger leaves and imprints on the ball and the ball breaks,
`that is more than 30%.