Preliminary studies on the composting of bagasse

Bagasse is a by-product of the milling of sugar cane. The major portion is used as a fuel source in the factories. However, there is a large surplus, which makes bagasse a cheap, readily available raw material. Over the years, various avenues have been investigated to find a suitable and profitable use for this by-product (Paturau, 1982). One such use is the conversion of bagasse into a compost support medium. This paper briefly outlines the factors affecting good composting conditions and describes the results of some preliminary studies carried out on the composting of bagasse.