Manure has been used as a fertilizer since ancient times and if well-managed it can be an asset, promoting sustainable agriculture, and increasing crop production, particularly for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, most farmers in SSA do not apply recommended manure management practices, such as roofing animal housing, having a waterproof floor or covering manure during storage, causing large nutrient losses during manure storage, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing the quality of the manure as a fertilizer. This paper compares manure management practices in representative SSA countries, and summarizes government policies and socio-cultural practices that influence the adoption of good (recommended) manure management practices. Three steps were applied in this analysis: (i) review of manure management practices from various literature sources, (ii) interviews on manure management practices and policies with key stakeholders from 13 SSA countries, and (iii) surveys of manure management practices on small, medium, and large scale farms in Ethiopia and Malawi. The review confirms the potential of manure to improve crop yields and promote sustainable agriculture in SSA. Unfortunately, most SSA countries (a) do not explicitly mention manure management in their policies (b) have different ministries that share responsibilities on manure management, often leading to incoherent policies and abnegation of these responsibilities (c) take limited action to promote good practices or enforce legislation on manure management. Also, the field survey indicated that farmers lack knowledge on manure management. However, farmers are able to access agricultural extension services from both government and non-government agencies, although these extension services rarely included information on improved manure management practices. Extension services that encourage exchange and interaction between farmers were most successful in increasing adoption of good manure management practices, and are recommended. In addition, efforts to improve manure management in SSA should strengthen the enforcement of existing policies and provide an enabling environment for adoption of good manure management practices.

Referaat In het kader van de pilot Mineralenconcentraten (MC) is een monitoringsprogramma uitgevoerd, gesubsidieerd door het Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit, om gegevens te verzamelen over de huidige kwaliteit van mineralenconcentraten in relatie tot de kwaliteitscriteria van de pilot MC en de uitvoering van het productieproces. Deze criteria zijn vastgesteld teneinde een hoge stikstofgebruiksefficiëntie van het concentraat te waarborgen zonder schadelijke gevolgen voor het milieu. De monitoring was gekoppeld aan informatie die werd gevraagd door het EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) ter ondersteuning van de ontwikkeling van kwaliteitscriteria voor stikstofhoudende meststoffen verkregen uit dierlijke mest, genaamd RENURE, in het kader van de Nitraat Richtlijn. De monitoring was bovendien gekoppeld aan relevante gegevens over de kwaliteit van het permeaat uit omgekeerde osmose (OO) voor onderbouwing van kwaliteitseisen voor het lozen op oppervlaktewater van effluenten uit mestverwerkingsinstallaties. Tot het monitoringsprogramma behoorden primaire en secundaire nutriënten, zware metalen, antibiotica, pathogene bacteriën en virussen. In dit rapport zijn de resultaten van de monitoring bijeengebracht.

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Composting dairy cattle feces at Indonesian small-scale dairy farms. Results of a composting trial in Lembang Sub-District, West Java. Wageningen Livestock Research, Public Report 1262. Summary UK The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of composting different ratios of fresh dairy cow feces and amendment material on the composition and the cost price of compost. To this end, mass balance, nutrients losses and the costs of composting were analysed in two composting trials with different ratios of cattle feces to dry amendment ('postal', i.e. broiler manure mixed with bedding material) in a practical farm and experimental farm in Lembang Sub-District, West Java, Indonesia. Results showed that composting reduced the weight of input materials and increased the dry matter content, thereby increasing the concentration of nutrients (total nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P)) in the final compost product compared to the initial mixture. Much N was lost during composting, particularly mineral N. Extending the composting period to eight weeks further increased the DM content and resulted in a more stable compost. Using more amendment material (postal) in the initial mixture or extending the composting period, however, led to a higher cost price of compost. It was concluded that reducing the amount of amendment material (postal) and shortening the length of the composting period can reduce the cost price of compost, but may affect the quality of the final compost product. Results showed larger differences between farms than between ratios of cow feces and amendment material, suggesting that compost management practices play an important role.

(Ecochar). The syngas, a mixture of H2 and CO, is used to produce heat for drying of the input manure and possibly for electricity production. The Ecochar can possibly be used amongst others for fertilisation, bedding material and all a number other of uses we will address later. Mavitec searches for added value for Ecochar other than the use as fertilizer. Mavitec is therefore keen in finding new and innovative uses for Ecochar. These uses may encounter regulatory constraints. Mavitec search advice on these constraints from European (new) regulations. AimThe aim of the project is to explore the chances and drawbacks considering the use of Ecochar within the regulatory framework that prevails within the European Union. MethodA desk study in combination with a field visit to the production site and additional chemical analyses of The production parameters can impact amongst others the nutrient availability to crops, the physical and chemical properties of the biochar, and the amount of stable carbon sequestered. Depending on the production parameters, more than 50% of the organic material's carbon may be sequestered in a stable form in the biochar.The idea behind biomass gasification is that biomass is heated with limited oxygen. This produces a different composition of hot gases, which the International Energy Agency and many others call 'producer gas' and which can then be cleaned of different pollutants and tars. The cleaned up gas is called 'syngas'. Syngas, unlike the dirtier producer gas, can be burned to power not just steam turbines, but also gas turbines, Combined Cycle power plants (i.e. ones combining a gas turbine and a steam turbine to increase efficiency), or gas engines. If the producer gas is not cleaned then it can be used as fuel for a boiler (less efficient) that provides steam for a turbine or, otherwise, for providing heat only. GasificationIn this study, the terms 'pyrolysis' and 'gasification' are used interchangeably, as a sharp discrimination between both processes cannot be made. In principle, pyrolysis is gasification without or strongly reduced oxygen supply at a lower temperature and gasification is pyrolysis with a limited oxygen supply at a higher temperature (Figure 2.1). We will use the name 'syngas' for the producer gas that is burned in the thermal oxidizer after the gasifier, to produce heat for the drying of input manure in the drier and drying zone of the gasifier.Wageningen Livestock Research Report 1113 │ 9 Figure 2.1 Comparison of Combustion, Gasification, Pyrolysis and Torrefaction; with increasing temperature and oxygen supply, thermochemical conversions shift from torrefaction and pyrolysis to gasification and combustion (Matsakas 2017).In Figure 2.1 the major differences between combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, and torrefaction are illustrated in terms of operating conditions and conversion products. The choice for a technique depends fully of the desired endproduct(s). Gasification, pyrolysis, and torrefaction are all performed in the absence of oxygen or with si...