What monitoring and evaluation aspects are there for the composting process?
Various factors are taken into account in the monitoring and evaluation of the composting process to determine the progress and quality of the composting process.

Here are some of the most important monitoring and evaluation aspects:

• Moisture
  It is important that the compost material has a moisture content of 40 to 60 per cent. Excessive moisture can lead to poor air circulation and an unfavourable microclimate that promotes the development of mould and rot. Too low a moisture content can slow down the activity of the microorganisms responsible for decomposition.
• Temperature
  The temperature of the compost material should be in the range of 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. A higher temperature may indicate that decomposition is in full swing, while a temperature that is too low may indicate a slow composting process. If the temperature is too high, important microorganisms may die off and valuable nutrients may be lost.
• Air circulation
  It is important that the compost material is sufficiently aerated to enable optimum decomposition. This can be achieved by regularly turning and loosening the compost material. Inadequate air circulation can cause gases to accumulate and the compost material to smell foul and unpleasant.
• pH value
  The pH value of the compost material should be in the range of 6.0 to 7.5. A low pH value can lead to the death of important microorganisms and nutrients becoming unavailable. A high pH value can in turn lead to some plants not growing optimally.
• Structure
  The structure of the compost material should be fine and homogeneous. A coarse structure may indicate that the compost material has not yet decomposed sufficiently and that further processing is required. A fine structure, on the other hand, may indicate that the compost material has decomposed well and is ready for use as a soil conditioner.

To summarise, when monitoring and evaluating the composting process, the moisture, temperature, air circulation, pH value and structure of the compost material should be taken into account to ensure that the composting process is running optimally and that high-quality compost is being produced.