Value Addition to Poultry Manure

Transforming waste into wealth

Value Addition to Poultry Manure is a process that transforms chicken manure into a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. This practice enhances its suitability for plant growth while mitigating potential issues like pathogens and unpleasant odors. Each chicken produces about three to five kilograms of manure monthly. To handle it properly, composting is essential to detoxify the manure and minimize ammonia loss. Optimal composting conditions include covering the pile and retaining liquid, as a significant portion of nitrogen exists in urine. Additionally, operating a free-run chicken production system or collecting manure for composting adds value to this resource, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 7/9

Cost: $$$ 5,000—10,000 USD

drying and pelleting equipment

30,000 USD

organic fertiliser production plant of 15 ton per hour

3,000 USD

15 m3 anaerobic digester able to process 300 kg of poultry manure per day

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

Pathogens and Unpleasant Odors: Fresh chicken manure can contain pathogens like salmonella, damage plant roots, and emit an off-putting odor.
Underutilization: Chicken manure is seldom used directly due to these issues.
Environmental and Social Liabilities: Large-scale poultry farms produce massive amounts of manure, leading to unpleasant odors, groundwater leaching, and methane emissions.
Waste Management: Proper handling and disposal of manure from commercial farms pose production costs.
Reduced Reliance on Chemical Fertilizers: By transforming manure into safe organic fertilizer, this technology promotes sustainable agriculture and soil fertility enhancement.

Solution

Pathogen-Free Organic Fertilizer Production: The technology converts chicken manure into a safe, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer through composting and value addition, eliminating harmful pathogens and ensuring plant health and human safety.
Sustainable Mitigation of Environmental Impact from Poultry Manure: The technology transforms raw chicken manure into valuable organic fertilizer, significantly reducing environmental impact. It curtails odors, prevents groundwater contamination, and mitigates methane emissions, benefiting both the environment and local communities.
Cost-Efficient Poultry Waste Management through Fertilizer Production: The technology offers a cost-effective solution by repurposing chicken manure into a valuable organic fertilizer. This not only reduces waste management costs but also creates an economically valuable product, enhancing overall farm profitability.

Key points to design your business plan

For farmers and local business

Local fertilizer businesses can create a new, eco-friendly product line with poultry manure compost, catering to the growing demand for organic options. Farmers benefit by turning waste into a valuable soil amendment, improving crop yields and reducing reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers. This not only saves them money but also promotes healthier soil and higher quality food.

To integrate this technology in your business, follow these steps:

Manure Sourcing: Establish reliable sources of poultry manure. Consider contracts with nearby poultry farms. Plan transportation logistics for collecting manure. Ensure efficient storage and handling facilities.
Composting Facilities: Choose a composting method (e.g., pile, windrow) based on scale and budget. Factor in space requirements for storage and processing.
Equipment and Supplies: Identify needed equipment (shredders, mixers) and materials (bulking agents) for composting.
Technology Adoption and Adaptation: Understand the composting process thoroughly. Train staff on proper composting techniques. Adapt the technology to local conditions (e.g., climate, soil types).
Market Research and Marketing Strategy: Identify potential customers (farmers, cooperatives, retailers). Understand market dynamics and pricing. Develop a marketing plan to promote the organic fertilizer and bio-certified food.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Partner with local agricultural extension services.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive high

Under 18: Positive high

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: A bit less water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	Adopted
Botswana	–Not tested	Adopted
Burundi	Tested	Adopted
Central African Republic	Tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	–Not tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	Adopted
Gabon	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	–Not tested	Adopted
Guinea	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Madagascar	–Not tested	Adopted
Malawi	–Not tested	Adopted
Mozambique	–Not tested	Adopted
Niger	–Not tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	–Not tested	Adopted
Sierra Leone	–Not tested	Adopted
Somalia	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	–Not tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	–Not tested	Adopted