Chitradurga launches city–farmer partnership to turn urban wet waste into organic compost

Composting Partnership for Advancing Soil Sustainability, is being implemented by the CCMC in partnership with the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, and with support from the SBI Foundation. | Photo Credit: IIHS MEDIALAB The Chitradurga City Municipal Council (CCMC) launched a city–farmer partnership that will convert segregated urban wet waste into organic compost for use on farmers’ fields.The initiative, Composting Partnership for Advancing Soil Sustainability (ComPASS), is being implemented by the CCMC in partnership with the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), and with support from the SBI Foundation.Over the next two years, ComPASS will work with 150 volunteer farmers across 15–20 villages in Chitradurga taluk to process approximately 12,500 tonnes of segregated wet waste, producing nearly 3,000 tonnes of organic compost.The initiative is expected to reduce chemical fertiliser use by around 300 tonnes, while improving soil fertility, reducing biodegradable waste sent to landfills, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening the city’s wet waste management system.Direct partnershipInaugurating the launch, Reshma Hanagal, Project Director, District Urban Development Cell, Chitradurga, said that the project will reduce the municipality’s burden of processing wet waste while improving soil health, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable agriculture.The project establishes a direct partnership between the municipality and farmers by transporting source-segregated biodegradable waste from the city to farms, where it is converted into compost through scientifically managed on-farm composting.“The success of ComPASS depends on effective segregation of waste at source. Chitradurga City Municipal Council is committed to ensure efficient wet waste management and make this initiative a success,” said Laxmi S., Municipal Commissioner, CCMC, at the launch.Capacity building, awareness campaignsAlongside compost production, IIHS will support the municipality through capacity building, community awareness campaigns and behavioural change initiatives to improve waste segregation at source.Speaking on behalf of IIHS, R. Krishnan said the initiative builds on the successful City–Farmer Partnership model previously implemented in Chikkaballapura and Doddaballapura, demonstrating how urban wet waste can become a valuable resource for agriculture through collaboration between municipalities and farming communities. Published - July 29, 2026 05:37 pm IST