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TECHNICAL GUIDANCEORGANIC FERTILIZER
PRODUCTIONFROM CINNAMONIA RESIDUE

Hanoi, 2023

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

PREFACEIn Vietnam, cinnamon trees are grown mainly in theprovinces of Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam, etc.
This tree species has contributed significantly to creating
livelihood for farmers. However, in many localities, cinnamon
plantations are still not sustainably managed because most of theorganic matters from cinnamon forests are harvested in the form of
branches, leaves and stems without being returned to balance soil
nutrients. To develop cinnamon forests more sustainably, it isnecessary to restore soil fertility by adding necessary organic
substances.
Vinh Yen commune is a locality in Bao Yen district, Lao
Cai province. The livelihood of people here depends largely on
growing, processing and providing products from cinnamon trees.
The main products are produced locally including cinnamon bark,essential oil, cinnamon wood, etc. However, a large number of byproducts that have not been used effectively are cinnamon residue
obtained after the oil extraction process. Due to high essential oil
content, cinnamon residue cannot be used directly for plants. These
products are still being purchased for burning by traders at low
prices. With these facts, the idea of producing organic fertilizers
from cinnamon residue has been formed and implemented to takeadvantage and reasonably use this raw material source, thereby
improving the soil, aiming toward sustainable production.
Under support from the Japan Center for International
Forestry Promotion and Cooperation (JIFPRO) and theStrengthening Sustainable Natural Resource Management Project(SNRM2), Vinh Yen Agricultural and Service Cooperative has
successfully produced organic fertilizers from cinnamon residue
and cinnamon ash. On that basis, a technical manual was developed
to guide people through the basic steps and knowledge to help themconveniently apply the organic composting process into productionin practice.
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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL REGULATIONS .................................................... 3
1.1. Scope ...................................................................................... 4
1.2. Applicable subjects................................................................. 4
1.3. Normative references ............................................................. 4
1.4. Terms and definitions ............................................................. 5
1.4.1. Cinnamon residue................................................................ 5
1.4.2. Organic fertilizer ................................................................. 5
1.4.3. Microbial preparation .......................................................... 6
II. TECHNIQUES TO PRODUCE ORGANIC FERTILIZERFROM CINNAMON RESIDUE................................................... 6
2.1. Prepare.................................................................................... 6
2.1.1. Incubation location .............................................................. 6
2.1.2. Apparatus and tool............................................................... 6
2.1.3. Ingredient ............................................................................ 7
2.2. Flow chart for process ............................................................ 8
2.3. Process description ................................................................. 8
2.3.1. Mixing ingredients .............................................................. 8
2.3.2. Mixing and composting..................................................... 10
2.3.3. Turning .............................................................................. 122.3.4. Maturity incubating ........................................................... 14
2.3.5. Quality requirements and product testing methods ........... 14

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

2.3.6. Packaging and preservation .............................................. 15
III. GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION . 15
IV. INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................. 16
References ................................................................................... 17
Annex. Several factors affect the quality of the composting process..................................................................................................... 18
LIST OF ACRONYMS

NN&PTNT

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development

QCVN

National Standards

TCVN

Vietnam standard

JICA

Japan International Cooperation Agency

SNRM2

Project to Strengthen Sustainable Natural
Resource ManagementJIFPROJapan Center for International Forestry
Cooperation and Promotion

I. GENERAL REGULATIONS

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

1.1. Scope
This handbook provides technical instructions for producing
organic fertilizer from cinnamon residue on a concentrated andsmall scale and at households. This process is suitable for use inorganic farming.
1.2. Applicable subjects
Organizations and individuals produce organic fertilizer fromcinnamon residue in Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province and inplaces with similar conditions.
1.3. Normative references
TCVN 13263-9:2020. Fertilizers – Part 9: Determination ofpH;
TCVN 6846:2007 (ISO 7251:2005). Microbiology of food andanimal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the detection andenumeration of presumptive Escherichia coli - Most probable
number technique;
TCVN 9294:2012. Fertilizers - Determination of total organiccarbon by Walkley-Black method;
TCVN 9290:2018. Fertilizers - Determination of total leadcontent by flame and electrothermal atomic absorption
spectrometry;
TCVN 9291:2018. Fertilizers - Determination of total
cadmium content by flame and electrothermal atomic absorption
spectrometry;
TCVN 9297:2012. Fertilizers – Method for determination ofmoisture;
TCVN 10676:2015. Fertilizers - Determination of total
mercury content by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry;

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

TCVN 10780-1:2017. Microbiology of the food chain Horizontal method for the detection, enumeration and serotypingof Salmonella - Part 1: Detection of Salmonella spp.
TCVN 11403:2016. Fertilizers - Determination of arsenic
content by atomic absorption spectrometry;
QCVN 21:2009/BTNMT. National Technical Regulation on
Emission of Chemical Fertilizer Manufacturing Industry;
QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT. National Technical Regulation on
Industrial Wastewater.
1.4. Terms and definitions
1.4.1. Cinnamon residue
The product is obtained after the process of extracting essential
oils from cinnamon stems, branches and leaves. The main
component of cinnamon residue is carbohydrates.
1.4.2. Organic fertilizer- Organic fertilizers used for fertilizing roots that areformulated by natural organic ingredients and meet quality
indicators defined in national technical regulations (Cultivation
Law 2018).
- Organic fertilizers include different types of fertilizers which
are produced mainly from natural organic substances (excluding
synthetic organic substances) that have been treated throughphysical processes (such as drying, grinding, sieving, mixing,
moisturizing) or biological processes (such as aging, fermentation,
extraction). They are further classified according to thecompositions and functions of main quality indexes or production
processes as specified in national technical regulations (Decree No.
84/2019/ND-CP).

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

1.4.3. Microbial preparation- The product contains one or more strains of live
microorganisms; has been selected at a density that meets current
standards; has the ability to decompose aerobic or anaerobic
cellulose into soil fertilizers, creating conditions to improve crop
productivity and agricultural product quality, increase soil fertility,
and at the same time does not cause adverse effects on humans.
animals, plants, ecological environment and agricultural productquality.
- The quality meets the standards specified in TCVN 6168:
2002 on Microbial preparation for cellulose degradation.
II. TECHNIQUES TO PRODUCE ORGANIC FERTILIZERFROM CINNAMON RESIDUE
2.1. Prepare
2.1.1. Incubation location
The selected organic fertilizer composting location must meetthe following criteria:- Far away from domestic water sources and concentrated
residential areas;- Needs to be flat and well-drained; Convenient for gathering,
spreading materials and transporting compost; The surface of theannealing site should be as hard as possible (use a hoe or shovel towedge it tightly). There should be a drainage system around to
avoid water leaking outside;- The incubation area is suitable for the amount of raw
materials. The incubation location should be covered to avoid rain
and sun..
2.1.2. Apparatus and tool
- Turning machine, excavator (if any) or hoe, shovel, rake:used to mix compost materials and periodically turn compost piles;

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue- Pump (if any): used to get water to mix nutrient solution andmoisten materials;- Scale: used to accurately measure ingredients put into thecompost pile;- Temperature machine (or thermometer): used to checkcompost pile temperature;- Tanks, reamers or specialized mixing equipment: used tostore water and nutrient solutions;- Tarpaulin, plastic, ...: used to cover compost piles; Helps
avoid sun, rain and ensures the temperature of the compost heap
(5m2/ton of material).
2.1.3. Ingredient
700 kg300 kg
40 kg
6kg
6kg
5kg
2kg

Cinnamon residue (crushed)(1)
Livestock waste (if any)(2)
Ash burns cinnamon residue
Fish meal(3)Molasses
Lime powder
Microbial preparation (4)Note:(1): Cinnamon residue size < 2 cm. The incubation process
will be faster if the cinnamon residue are crushed to a size of 0.30.5 mm.
(2): If there is no livestock waste, replace it with cinnamon
residue (crushed) with an amount equivalent to + 1 kg of fish meal.
(3): Type of raw materials for animal feed. Fish meal can be
replaced with soybean meal or rice bran or corn bran in an amountof 10 kg.
(4): The amount of use varies according to the guidelines foruse of each type of microbial preparation.
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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

2.2. Flow chart for process

Cinnamonresidue

Added
ingredients

Mixing ingredients

Mixing and composting

Turning

Maturity incubating
Test quality, Packaging
and preservation

Crushed, sieved(if nessescary)
ORGANICFERTILIZER

2.3. Process description
2.3.1. Mixing ingredients- Dissolve molasses in 100 liters of clean water to create anutrient solution; Divide the nutrient solution into 5 equal parts;

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue- Mix well cinnamon ash + fish meal + microbial preparation;
Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts;- Divide the amount of lime and livestock waste into 4 equalparts;- Move materials to incubation location. Spread a layer ofcinnamon residue with a thickness of 20-25 cm, sprinkle evenly inthe order of 1 part lime, 1 part livestock waste (if any) and 1 part
cinnamon ash + fish meal + microbial preparation; Use a
hoe/shovel/scraper to mix well; Use a reamer to water the nutrient
solution evenly onto the surface of the ingredients. Continue doing
as above until all the ingredients are used up. Add clean water (ifnecessary) (Figure 1).
Note:- The moisture of the material after mixing reaches 60-65%.
Check the moisture level as follows: Pick up a handful ofingredients and hold it firmly in your hand. If there is no water
seeping out between your fingers, the ingredients are too dry andneed to add more water. If the water seeps out between your fingers
and drips, the ingredients are too wet, you must mix in more dry
ingredients to dry them out. If the water seeps evenly through yourfingers, the material has reached 60-65% moisture (Figure 2);

Figure 2. Checking material
moisture

Figure 1. Mixing

9TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue- 4/5 of the nutrient solution is used in the ingredient mixing
step, the remaining 1/5 of the nutrient solution will be used in the
mixing and incubation step.
2.3.2. Mixing and composting- Pile up the ingredients (Figure 4). The height of the compost
pile is about 1.0-1.2 m high, about 1.5-2.0 m wide and of
appropriate length (Figure 3).
- After creating a compost pile, use the remaining nutrient
solution to water evenly on the surface of the compost pile.
- Use tarpaulin or plastic to cover the surface of the compost
pile (Figure 5); Cover with a layer of leaves on top to protect fromthe sun (if any).
Note: Do not compress the compost pile tightly

Figure 3. Cross sectional dimensions of compost pile

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

Figure 4. Pile
Figure 4. Pile up

Figure 5. Covering the compost pilewith tarpaulin and palm leaves

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

2.3.3. Turning- 7-10 days after composting (when the compost piletemperature is > 55oC), stir the first time; Periodically mix 15 days
after the previous mixing to create the best conditions for microbialactivity; provides oxygen, while also preventing the compost pilefrom overheating. After 2 months of composting, mixing can bedone 30 days after the previous turning if the compost piletemperature is <50oC; Check the temperature and moisture of thecompost pile, add water if the compost pile is dry. Check microbialactivity in the compost pile.
- How to check the temperature of the compost pile: Insert athermometer into 5 positions on the compost pile; 1 point in the
middle and 4 points in the 4 corners. Read results after 3-4 minutes(Figure 6)

Figure 6. Check compost pile’s temperature
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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue- Check microbial activity: There are signs of microbialactivity when a white, uniform, short-fiber layer is seen on thesurface of the material. The temperature of the compost pile is atleast 20oC higher than the ambient temperature, which also
demonstrates microbial activity (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Signs of microbial activity- How to turn the compost pile (Figure 8):+ Clear a small area next to one side of the compost pile,about 40-50 cm from the edge of the compost pile;+ Use a rake / hoe / shovel to transfer all the materials locatedon the outer layer of the compost pile into the cleaned soil next tothe compost pile;+ Scoop and stir the compost pile's ingredients onto the
newly gathered outer ingredients so that the outer layer of the oldcompost pile becomes the center of the newly mixed compost pile;+ After mixing, use tarpaulin, plastic, and palm leaves tocover the compost pile and use trees or bricks to press down on theedges of the tarp and plastic;- Incubation time: 4-5 months.
Note: Use an excavator or mixer (if available) to mix organicand supplementary materials or turn the compost pile.

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

Figure 8. Mixing

2.3.4. Maturity incubating- After finishing the incubation process, remove the tarpaulin/ plastic, mixed, pile up and stacked for 1-2 weeks with the purposeof stabilizing quality before being used.
- Check the maturity of the compost pile in terms of color andtemperature stability:+ Ingredients are dark brown; uniform in color;+ Temperature equal to or 5oC higher than ambient
temperature.
2.3.5. Quality requirements and product testing methods
Quality’s criterias and limiting factors of organic fertilizers
are specified in QCVN 01-189:2019/BNNPTNT.
StatusCriterias

Test method

Unit

Requiredquality level

first

Organic
mattercontent

TCVN
9294:2012

%

≥ 20

2

Moisture

TCVN
9297:2012

%

≤ 30

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

StatusCriterias

3

pH

4

Arsenic (As)5

Lead (Pb)6
7

Mercury(Hg)
Cadmium(Cd)

Test method
TCVN
5979:2007
TCVN
11403:2016
TCVN
9290:2018
TCVN
10676:2015
TCVN
9291:2018

Unit

Requiredquality level

-

≥5

mg/kg

≤ 10

mg/kg

≤ 200

mg/kg

≤2

mg/kg

≤5

8

Salmonella

Ref. TCVN
10780-1:2017

CFU/25g

Not detected(negative)

9

E. coli

Ref. TCVN
6846:2007

MPN/g≤ 1.1 x 103

2.3.6. Packaging and preservation- Products after incubating are crushed, sieved (if nessescary;
used for commercialization) to ensure uniformity; packaged inbags; stored in cool places, avoid direct contact with sunlight;- Storage period is 12 months.
III. GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION- To ensure surrounding environmental conditions, theselected composting location must be at least 500 m away fromdomestic water sources and concentrated residential areas.
- Wastewater treatment: Organic fertilizer production facilities
must arrange a wastewater collection system which re-irrigatescompost piles to ensure fertilizer’s quality and environmental
protection. In case of discharging waste into the environment,
wastewater from production which belongs to industrial
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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

wastewater and must
40:2011/BTNMT.

betreatedaccording

to

QCVN

- Treating bad odors that arise:+ Arrange the factory well to ensure good air circulation.
+ For large scale concentrated production facilities, it isnecessary to build a system to collect, treat and release exhaustgases to ensure that emissions from organic fertilizer production
facilities must meet QCVN 21:2009/BTNMT.
IV. INSTRUCTIONS- Use as a source of decomposed manure to put down basic
fertilizer or apply additional fertilizer:+ Use for nursery: Dosage: 4% organic fertilizer per pot. Mixorganic fertilizer well with potting mix before planting in pots
(including 95% soil + 4% organic fertilizer + 1% NPK mineral
fertilizer).
+ Put down basic fertilizer: Dosage: 0.5-0.7 kg of organic
fertilizer per tree. After digging the hole, mix the organic fertilizer
with 1/3 the soil in the bottom of the planting hole, then fill the holewith soil (must be done 10 to 15 days before planting).
+ Apply additional fertilizer: Dosage: 0.7-1.0 kg of organic
fertilizer per tree. Apply 0.3-0.4 m away from the root; Apply oncea year for the first 3 years.
- Or use as a source of organic substrates in the production ofmineral organic fertilizers, microbial organic fertilizers, etc.

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

References
1.

Law No. 31/2018/QH14 dated November 19, 2018. Law on
farming.

2.

Decree No. 84/2019/ND-CP dated November 14, 2019.
Regulations on fertilizer management.

3.

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Decision No.
14/QD-BNN-TCLN dated January 5, 2022 of the Minister ofAgriculture and Rural Development. Issue technicalinstructions for nursery, planting, care, nurturing, exploitation,
preliminary processing and preservation of Cinnamon
products (Cinnamomum cassia BL).

4.

QCVN 01-189:2019/BNNPTNT. National technical standards
on fertilizer quality.

5.

TCVN 7185:2002: National Standard for Microbial Organic
Fertilizers.

6.

TCVN 6168: 2002: National Standard on Cellulolytic
Microbial Preparations.

7.

Robert Rynk. 1992. On-farm composting handbook, NRAES54, New York.

8.

Mirsa RV, Roy RN, Hiraoka H. 2003. On-farm composting
method, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations, Rome.

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

Annex. Several factors affect the quality of the compostingprocess
1. Material size
The smaller the material size, the greater the contact surface
with microorganisms and the faster the decomposing rate.
Therefore, the raw materials should be crushed.
2. Size of compost pile
The size of the compost pile affects the amount of oxygen
supplied to the pile. Limit the height of the compost pile to ensure
the pile is always in well-ventilated conditions. Maintain adequate
oxygen levels, avoid creating anaerobic conditions that slow down
the composting process and reduce the compost’s quality.
3. C:N and C:P ratio
Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)are essential nutritional elements for microorganisms in thecompost pile to grow and develop, and the balance between thesenutrients is also very important, especially the ratio of C:N and C:Pin the raw materials. The best C:N ratio is from 25:1 to 30:1. If thisratio is higher than 40:1, it will limit the growth and developmentof microorganisms, causing the incubation process to be prolonged.
If the C:N ratio is lower than 20:1, it will lead to the excess of N.
The excess N can be evaporated into the air in the form of ammonia
or nitrogen oxide, and generate bad odors that pollute thesurrounding environment. The appropriate C:P ratio in thedigestion process is from 70:1 to 150:1.
4. Moisture
Too wet or too dry both negatively affect decomposition.
When the moisture drops below 40%, microbial activities decrease.
If the moisture is too high, it will make it difficult for oxygen (air)18

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

to penetrate the compost pile, creating conditions for anaerobic
microorganisms to become active, making the composting time
longer and the quality of organic fertilizer products reduce.
Suitable moisture is 60-65%.
5. Temperature
When the temperature increases, the incubation process goes
well, all types of pathogens are also killed. However, if thetemperature increases above 65oC, many beneficial
microorganisms will also be killed. To reduce the temperature, justturn the compost pile over again. The optimal temperature for thecompost pile is 50-65oC.

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TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION
From cinnamon residue

CONTACT INFO

Any questions please send to:Japan Forestry Technical Association (JAFTA),
International cooperation department,
No. 7, Rokuban-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0085, Japan.
☎: +81-3261-5480✉: H.Hashiguchi@jafta.or.jp , chika.ss@jafta.or.jp

This activity is carried out with funding from the Japan Center forInternational Forestry Promotion and Cooperation (JIFPRO).
* The views expressed in this report are those of the authors anddo not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor.

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