Animal Waste Manure Management for Sustainable Agriculture & Animal Husbandry Practices in India : Concept of Waste to Wealth through Circular Bio-Economy approach in Animal Production Systems
ABSTRACT
India has about 535.78 million livestock population and the amount of livestock waste produces is about 3 million tonnes annually. Common livestock waste at the farm level includes dung, urine, placenta, bedding, feed wastage, milk-house wastes, etc. These livestock wastes are the major source of noxious gases, harmful pathogens and odour, hence, it has public health and environmental concern. Livestock waste contains many beneficial constituents that if recycled effectively, can be used as fertilizer for crops, fodder for animals. Economic savings is the major benefit of waste management achieving by improvements in human health and the environment, leading to higher productivity, lower medical costs, and ultimate increase in farmer’s income.
Livestock dung plays a vital role in rural economy. Apart from milk, which is a significant economic contributor, efficient use of livestock resources in biogas systems can help generate localised clean cooking energy for rural masses. At the same time, biogas spent slurry, a by-product of biogas plant is a potential source of major and micronutrients besides organic matter. Its proper utilisation after processing has a vast potential in meeting the nutrient requirement of the crops and thereby reducing use of chemical fertilizers besides providing sustenance to soil health. In India, about 170 lakh families affiliated to village level Dairy Co-operative Societies own on average 3 dairy animals per family. It is estimated that about 443.5 lakh tonnes of solid bio-slurry could be made available from these dairy animals. This bio slurry can be processed to produce bio fertilizerswhich can meet the India’s requirement of NPK and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) by about 4.5% and 0.4% respectively. Taking forward this idea, National Dairy Development Board has established an end to end Manure Value Chain in two village of Anand. The bio fertilisers developed from the bio slurry are branded as SuDhan products. Their use in agriculture has shown encouraging results with enhancement in the yield of different crops in the range of 14 to 36 percent over farmers’ traditional practices under demonstration trials conducted on farmers’ fields during kharif and rabi seasons of the year 2019-20. The use of such bio slurry based bio fertilisers has huge potential to reduce expenditure of farmers on chemical fertilizers at the same time enhance their income through improved yield. NDDB’s Manure Management Model offers interesting solution not only to fulfil clean energy requirement of rural masses and address environment challenges but also is a step towards sustainable agriculture practices ensuring improved yield and incomes.
Key-Words: Manure management, Manure Value Chain (MVC), Bioslurry, Green Energy, SuDhanBio fertilisers, Biogas, NPK, Micronutrients.
INTRODUCTION
There are few things certain in life – one is death, second is change and the other is waste.” No one can stop these things to take place in our lives. But with better management, we can prepare ourselves. This study is dealing with livestock waste and turning of livestock waste into valuable products. India has about 535.78 million livestock population and the amount of livestock waste produces is about 3 million tonnes annually. Common livestock wastes at the farm level are dung, urine, placenta, bedding, feed wastage, milk-house wastes, etc. (Sweta et al., 2018). The livestock waste is major source of noxious gases, harmful pathogens and odour; hence, it has public health and environmental concern. Hence, livestock waste is to be managed properly to mitigate production of these pollutants to protect the environment. About 40% of global methane is produced by agriculture and livestock byproducts followed by 18% from waste disposal globally (Sorathiya et al. 2014). One of the most common practices of livestock waste utilization is usually collected at the end of the day, shaped into cakes, and used primarily as fuel. This practice is unhygienic and can spread the diseases in addition to the practice being environmentally unfriendly at the same time (Ghatoura and Fattah, 2015). According to World Health Organization, about 1.6 million people, mostly women and children, die each year due to cooking and heating with wood, dung, coal, or crop waste.
With theadvent of green revolution in India, use of chemical fertilizers increased immensely. But the excessive application of chemical fertilizers have brought its own challenges in terms of deteriorating soil health, hazards to human health and adverse impact on environment. Monetarily also such fertilisers are becoming unaffordable to small and marginal farmers. Today, lack of adequate nutrient supply and poor soil structure have become the main constraints to agricultural production systems in lowinput agriculture systems like India Hence, an alternative to chemical fertilizers such as biogas slurry, compost which are cheaper than other sources of nutrients and are relatively safe are being explored extensively. Going forward, recycling of organic wastes, especially cattle dung, through biogas plants seems to have a great potential. In addition to providing manure, it also provides biogas useful for cooking and at high capacity,generating power. Furthermore, it is of greater significance from the stand point of public hygiene, pollution control and environmental protection. Biogas slurry is a by-product obtained from the biogas plant after the digestion of dung or other biomass for generation of methane rich gas. It contains appreciable amounts of organic matter (20 to 30%), easily-available plant nutrients and it is considered to be a good source of organic fertilizer as it contains considerable amounts of both macro (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B etc) that are necessary for plant growth. It enhances water holding capacity, soil aeration, accelerates root growth and inhibit weed seed germination. It can be used to build up health of soil for higher crop production which provides a sustainable way for agriculture, environment and farming communities. A huge quantity of bio-slurry could be obtained from the large animal population (About 300 millions) in India (20th Animals Census-2019; Gagandeep et.al. 2017).According to an estimate, about 60% of the generated dung is practically available to utilize in biogas plants and 1 kg of dung (gobar) can be converted in to 0.3 kg solid processable bio-slurry (Kumar et al. 2015). About 170 lakh families affiliated to the Dairy Co-operative Societies across the country, rear around 3 animals per unit (family).Based on average15 kg dunggeneration per animal per day, about 2660 lakh tonnes of liquid bio-slurry (80 % of dung and water mixture 1:1) could be produced annually OR about 443.5 lakh tonnes of solid bio-slurry could be made available for processing of bio fertilizers. Further, the biogas plant spent slurry (BSS) contains on an average N- 1.5%, P- 1.1%, K1% K; and micronutrients viz., Zn- 144 ppm,Fe- 3,550 ppm,Mn- 188 ppm and Cu- 28 ppm; equivalent to the chemical fertilizers requirement in terms of NPK and micronutrients (Fe+Mn+Zn+Cu) by about 4.5% and 0.4% respectively(Table 1).
The world’s human population is projected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100 (UN, 2022). This increase in population, combined with climate change, urbanization, digitalization, natural resource overuse, agricultural land use practices, loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, carbon emissions, etc., poses major threats for humanity and has led to a worsening of global food insecurity. The livestock has been an integral part of mankind for ensuring nutritional as well as livelihood security. To overcome global challenges that mankind is facing with respect to the future of the planet, bio-economy and bio-economic innovations have become an important area of interest for policy stakeholders and the scientific community, as it seems to be the solution to all current concerning challenges. Undoubtedly livestock sector is a fundamental part of the modern global economy and in order to ensure its resilience to changes in consumer expectations, cost of production and environmental sustainability, the sector must shift to a circular economy model. India’s Bio-Economy in 2021 registered 14.1% growth and it is optimistically projected that livestock sector (bio-industry/ bio-fuels/ etc) has a potential in shaping India becoming “Energy Independent” by 2047, under Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Hence, livestock based ‘Circular bio-economy’ principles can offer many opportunities to become more resource efficient. While dealing with livestock production systems, number of solid and liquid waste by-products is generated during various processes from ‘farm to fork’ operations. As per the World Bank, globally 2.07 billion tonnes of waste is generated and is predicted to reach 3.4 billion tons by 2050. Further, 44% of this waste consisted of greens and food. These products need to be managed efficiently and efforts need to be made to harvest the benefits for sustainable growth and development. It’s the responsibility of every nation and every citizen to minimize the release of emissions through reduced carbon footprints. To protect the environment from the adverse effect of global challenges, green technology (based on principles of reduce, reuse and recycle approaches) which is eco-friendly, offers a potential means to have positive impact on environment. Such technologies promotes less utilization of energy and helps to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and further slow down global warming, thereby saving natural resources and reducing ozone harming products. Livestock waste can be recycled by latest scientific technologies to combat rising energy prices, sustainable agricultural and reduce environmental threats and ultimately increasing farmer’s income. Livestock is the vital element of agricultural circular bio-economy, transforming non-edible biomass into high-quality food and recycling large proportions of nutrients to agro-ecological system via farmyard manure. This non-edible biomass makes up the majority of the total agricultural biomass and comes from grassland, co-products of food-producing plants (e.g. straw), intercrops in the course of crop rotation and from by-products of the industrial processing. There are undoubtedly many sustainable ways to mitigate negative effects of livestock system, including the use of agro-ecological approaches, like, manure based bio-economic innovations, adoption of principles of organic farming, modern technology and increased circularity. The aim of bio-economic practices includes, minimizing the use of primary natural resources (such as water and energy) throughout cultivation and animal production, minimizing polluting activities and unsustainable practices (such as the use of synthetic fertilizers and unsustainable use of chemicals) and recycling, transformation and reuse of livestock sector waste. To meet the ever growing demand for energy and fuel in an equitable and sustainable way without depleting finite natural resources, both solid and liquid wastes of abattoir industry can finds its application in production of biogas, biodiesel, bio-briquetting, bio-electricity and bio-hydrogen generation. It is estimated that slaughter wastes produce more biogas than simple manure and the slurry obtained from the biogas plant could be converted into organic manure which can be used for agriculture purposes to increase soil fertility. Production of second generation biodiesel, from animal fats, can offer a potential solution for global energy requirements. Efficient utilization of rumen ingesta and dung to form bio-briquettes, which are used in boilers of meatpacking plants for steam generation, for cooking in rendering plants, etc. Effective and efficient conversion of liquid waste into value added products like bio-plastics, which is not only eco-friendly but can be recycled and is biocompatible. The slaughter wastewater finds its application for generation of bioelectricity and bio-hydrogen production. Recent studies showed micro-algae based treatment of waste water treatment offers a sustainable solution for generating valuable products, viz., biomass and pigments for human food and animal feed, nutraceuticals, biofuels, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phycobiliproteins and fertilizers. Additionally, application of Panchagavya or panchakavyam in Cowpathy has demonstrated beneficial uses in Ayurveda. Use of livestock waste has wide application in field of textile manufacturing. Manure fiber are being used to produce products like plant growth medium (like peat moss), seed starter pots, fertilizer garden sculptures, paper and building materials. All such approaches are incredibly useful in converting waste into remarkably high-quality, value-added products and also reducing environmental pollution, thereby turning environmental liability to a commodity. Hence, bio-economic innovations use renewable biological resources to produce not only food but also materials and energy, making resource-efficiency and the transition to a low-carbon economy possible. The bio-economy may be dominated by plant-based processes, but the role of animals in the bio-economy is also notable. As earlier discussed increasing global population and consequently, food demand, the livestock sector represents a key actor to address the challenge of global food and nutrition security. Animal production can contribute efficiently to the Bio-economy for a sustainable food-chain, providing multiple benefits and is one of the most demanding sectors in terms of resource use and emission intensities. Smart livestock farming, ensuring reduced carbon foot-print and animal welfare, transitioning to digital animal monitoring, efficient waste to wealth management techniques, use of innovative technologies, precision farming techniques and increased awareness among all stake-holders, have the potential to decrease the impact of livestock farming on our natural resources.
Market Prices considered Major nutrients (Rs/kg): N- 12; P2O5- 50; K2O- 27 ;Micronutrients (Rs/kg): Zinc sulphate 40,Ferrous sulphate 15,Manganese sulphate 35,Copper sulphate 120. . Keeping the above facts in view, a Manure Management Value Chain pilot project (Model)was developed by the National Dairy Development Board, Anand as a step towards doubling the farmers’ income (Karade et al. 2020). The objectives also included biogas generation for use of farmers as clean fuel for cooking in their households and the bio-gas slurry for production of organic products (“SuDhan” brand). The organics were utilized in field demonstration trials for enhancing growth and yield of different crops on farmers’ fields.
BENEFITS OF MANURE VALUE CHAIN (MVC) OF NDDB
Ø Utilization of dung in biogas digester can provide cheap energy (1 cubic meter per 25kg dung); and bioslurry which is a good organic fertilizer for crops. Ø Generates energy in terms of biogas fuel and saves about Rs 3000 on fuel together with selling of bioslurry at the average rate of Rs 1 per litre. Ø The direct use of bioslurry can meet the requirement of chemical fertilisers by about 4.5% for NPK & 0.4% for micronutrients, made available from 17 million House Holds of Indian Dairy Cooperative farmers. Ø The use of bioslurry based enriched SuDhan products in fields can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers (N and K) and replace the application of P and micronutrients. Ø The SuDhan organic fertilizers can enhance crop growth, its quality and increase in crop yields. Ø The model is environment friendly which improves soil health and the ecosystem. Ø Improves sanitation and decreases environmental pollution by controlling emission of GHGs. Ø The Model could be useful to provide sustainable solution to the manure management and increases the farmers’ income as a step towards doubling the farmers’ income by 2022. Ø The Model is an interesting solution not only for farming challenges (fertiliser) but also energy challenges, especially for smallholder farmers.
Different utilization pattern of livestock wastes
livestock waste contains many beneficial constituents that if recycled effectively, can be used as fertilizer for crops, fodder for animals and to produce energy.
Manure used as fertilizer
Manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients that plants need to grow. Farmers can often save money by effectively use manure as a fertilizer. Manure can be applied on land in its raw form, or after processing (for example, composting, pelletizing, and nutrient extraction). Manure nutrients can also be used to grow worms, insect larvae, algae, or other living organisms. Through “biomass conversion,” these organisms transfer manure nutrients to their bodies or castings, which can then be harvested and used as fertilizer, animal feeds, or soil amendments.
Biogas
Manure contains a lot of carbon and other elements that can be used to generate biogas. Anaerobic digestion is a technology that uses microbes to process manure into biogas. Biogas can be used to generate heat or electricity for the use on the farm or sale to the local power grid.
Bio-oil
Thermal processes of manure can produce liquid bio-oil fuels, including biodiesel, and useful byproducts like biochar. Bio-oils can be used for heating or generating electricity. Biodiesel can be used just like petroleum diesel.
Special fiber products
Manure fiber has been used to produce several specialty consumer products like plant growth medium (like peat moss), seed starter pots, fertilizer garden sculptures, paper, and building materials. Consumer products help turn manure from a potential environmental liability to a commodity.
Animal house bedding
Many dairy farms use separated manure solids for bedding which saves money.
Panchagavya
Panchagavya or panchakavyam is a mixture that is prepared by mixing five ingredients. The three direct constituents are cow dung, urine, and milk; the two derived products are curd and ghee. These are mixed in proper ratio and then allowed to ferment. When it used in Ayurvedic medicine also called cowpathy.
Algal cultivation
The carbon dioxide is a major component in the product gases from anaerobic digestion and thermo-chemical conversion processes from livestock waste which can be used for production of algal biomass.
Livestock fish integration
Integration of fish with livestock farming is the best method for recycling of organic wastes. Cattle manure has been used extensively in India as a source of manure in carp polyculture.
Biodegradable plastic
Poultry feathers are also converted into biodegradable plastic by a process called polymerization. In this process, feathers that contain keratin protein are pulverized into fine dust
Electricity generation The energetic potential of poultry litter is high. Several types of technologies are being implemented for conversion of this type of biomass to electrical energy. Anaerobic digestion and biomethanation of poultry litter results in methane (biogas) production which are used to run turbine to generate power.
Technical textiles
The nonwoven is prepared by using low-cost chicken feathers. The advantage of application of chicken feathers in textile field is wide. The nonwoven textile materials prepared by chicken feathers are very versatile and have a wide application in the field of technical textiles.
Benefits of livestock waste management:
- Prevents the hazardous environmental impacts on air, water, soil, wildlife, and the marine.
• Protects human health in communities and at waste management facilities.
• Minimizes the risks associated with the waste.
• Increases business opportunities.
• Achieves economic savings by improvements in human health and the environment, leading to higher productivity, lower medical costs.
• Creates employment, including low, medium, and high-skilled jobs.
• Delivers more attractive and pleasant human settlements and better social amenity.
• Encourages changes in community attitudes and behaviours.
Livestock waste can be recycled by many modern ways to combat rising energy prices, sustainable agricultural and reduce the environmental threats from traditional livestock waste management practices. These ecofriendly utilization patterns would be the source of additional income for farmers with ecological development of agriculture and animal husbandry.
Waste to wealth is a lucrative option for the eco-friendly and cost-effective management of waste. Achievement of sustainable development goals is impossible without addressing waste management as every goal is directly or indirectly linked with waste management. The concept of a ‘circular bio-economy’ focuses on the production of animal based commodities with minimal external inputs, closing nutrient loops, and reducing negative impacts on the environment in the form of wastes and emissions. Understanding the circularity of livestock based systems has the potential to identify opportunities to apply precision technologies to enhance recycling and smart utilization of livestock waste throughout the production system. There is an immediate need for One Health Initiative to work together using science-based information to ensure optimal use of natural resources, nutritional adequacy, improved human and animal health and the environmental sustainability. A Sustainable and Circular Bio-economy can play a principle role in promoting growth, while safeguarding human, animal and environmental health and restoring ecosystems.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
India Country Profile on Animal Waste Management
Efficient Manure Value
India Country Profile on Animal Waste Management
