Processing and Application of Composted Manures

Turning Waste into Wealth for Greener Fields

This technology focuses on the conversion and enhancement of goat and sheep manure, turning it into valuable resources for agriculture. By applying advanced processes, it adds economic and environmental value to these livestock byproducts, resulting in improved nutrient management and reduced waste, ultimately benefiting both farmers and the environment.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive low

Women: Positive medium

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: More water used

Problem

Manure Hazards: Goat and sheep manure may contain human pathogens and weed seeds, posing hazards to crops and the environment.
Inefficient Nutrient Utilization: Nutrients in goat and sheep urine are often wasted, and improper manure handling can lead to environmental pollution.

Solution

Composting: Composting rapidly deactivates human pathogens and weed seeds in manure, making it safe for use as compost on vegetable crops.
Value-Added Processing: Commercial technologies are available to produce organic fertilizers from goat and sheep manure, increasing its economic value and reducing waste.
Improved Nutrient Utilization: Keeping goats and sheep in pasture-based systems allows for the collection of manure, which can be dried and stored for use. This method efficiently utilizes nutrients while mitigating hazards.

Key points to design your program

Processing and Application of Composted Manures transforms goat and sheep manure into valuable organic fertilizer, improving nutrient recycling, soil fertility, and waste management. The technology can be integrated into soil health, climate-smart agriculture, livestock development, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy programs. Its adoption contributes to SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 13 (Climate Action).

To integrate this technology into your project, plan and budget for the following activities and prerequisites:

Assess manure availability, composition, nutrient value, and processing constraints in target areas.
Facilitate access to composting, drying, and manure processing equipment adapted to the scale of operations.
Evaluate the cost and availability of raw materials and identify sustainable supply arrangements.
Ensure compliance with environmental, sanitary, and waste management regulations applicable to manure processing facilities.
Support training for farmers, cooperatives, women’s groups, and youth enterprises on compost production, quality management, equipment operation, and safe handling practices.
Budget for equipment procurement, installation, delivery, import costs, training, and post-training technical support.
Develop communication and awareness materials such as demonstrations, flyers, videos, and radio programs to promote adoption.
Establish partnerships with ILRI, livestock producers, cooperatives, extension services, private sector actors, and development institutions to support scaling and sustainability.
Track key indicators such as quantities of manure processed, compost production, soil fertility improvements, adoption rates, jobs created, and income generated.

IP

Open source / open access

Scaling Readiness describes how complete a technology\’s development is and its ability to be scaled. It produces a score that measures a technology\’s readiness along two axes: the level of maturity of the idea itself, and the level to which the technology has been used so far.

Each axis goes from 0 to 9 where 9 is the “ready-to-scale” status. For each technology profile in the e-catalogs we have documented the scaling readiness status from evidence given by the technology providers. The e-catalogs only showcase technologies for which the scaling readiness score is at least 8 for maturity of the idea and 7 for the level of use.

The graph below represents visually the scaling readiness status for this technology, you can see the label of each level by hovering your mouse cursor on the number.

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 8 out of 9

Uncontrolled environment: tested

Level of use 8 out of 9

Used by some intended users, in the real world

Maturity of the idea										Level of use
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

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

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Niger	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Somalia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid		–		–
Subhumid	–	–	–	–
Humid	–	–	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 13: climate action

The production of organic fertilizer pellets from composted goat and sheep manure involves the following steps:

Crushing: The composted manure is crushed using a hammer mill capable of processing semi-wet materials.
Screening: Screening is performed either in batches or continuously along a conveyor belt. Oversized materials are reprocessed through the crusher.
Pelletizing: The fine material is pelletized by introducing small amounts of added water and applying friction through stirring. Alternatively, a vibrating granulating pan or extrusion may be used for pellet formation.
Secondary Screening: After pelletization, a second screening process is carried out to collect undersized materials for potential reuse.
Drying: Drying of the newly formed pellets is achieved most effectively by passing them along a heat tunnel conveyor. However, in some cases, air drying may be employed.