Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South

Livestock waste poses significant environmental and public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly through water pollution and the spread of infectious diseases. Nutrient-rich runoff from this waste contributes to eutrophication, while pathogens such as Escherichi...

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Autores principales: Taron, Avinandan, Sathiskumar, Abinaya, Mateo-Sagasta, Javier, Singha, R., Dejen, Z. A., Chipatecua, G. P., Bastidas, R. R.
Formato: Informe técnico
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Water Management Institute 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175483
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author Taron, Avinandan
Sathiskumar, Abinaya
Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
Singha, R.
Dejen, Z. A.
Chipatecua, G. P.
Bastidas, R. R.
author_browse Bastidas, R. R.
Chipatecua, G. P.
Dejen, Z. A.
Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
Sathiskumar, Abinaya
Singha, R.
Taron, Avinandan
author_facet Taron, Avinandan
Sathiskumar, Abinaya
Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
Singha, R.
Dejen, Z. A.
Chipatecua, G. P.
Bastidas, R. R.
author_sort Taron, Avinandan
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Livestock waste poses significant environmental and public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly through water pollution and the spread of infectious diseases. Nutrient-rich runoff from this waste contributes to eutrophication, while pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella contaminate surface waters, posing serious risks to human and animal health. Yet, this waste stream also presents opportunities for circular bioeconomy solutions. When converted into biogas, organic fertilizer, or aquaculture feed, livestock waste can help mitigate environmental harm, generate energy, enhance soil health, and support rural livelihoods. This report synthesizes findings from 135 global cases and further presents an in-depth analysis of 26 livestock waste recovery initiatives to highlight diverse models and regional strategies. The available data show that in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, biodigestion is primarily used for household or commercial energy and revenue generation. South and Southeast Asian countries, meanwhile, focus on producing compost, aquaculture feed, and vermicompost. Government support, including subsidies, incentives, and technical assistance, often underpins these efforts, sometimes in collaboration with the private sector. Three broad business models emerge: (i) energy and biofertilizer recovery, (ii) soil nutrient recovery, and (iii) food nutrient recovery for aquaculture. Government-led community initiatives tend to exhibit higher economic feasibility, while private-sector models tend to scale better commercially. With average payback periods of five to six years and cost-benefit ratios ranging from 1 to 2, these models offer scalable solutions—when backed by enabling policies, institutional coordination, and localized feasibility assessments—to promote sustainable rural development and address critical environmental risks.
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spelling CGSpace1754832025-11-07T08:43:47Z Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South Taron, Avinandan Sathiskumar, Abinaya Mateo-Sagasta, Javier Singha, R. Dejen, Z. A. Chipatecua, G. P. Bastidas, R. R. resource recovery reuse animal wastes livestock production business models circular bioeconomy ecosystems financial analysis feasibility studies stakeholders case studies Global South Livestock waste poses significant environmental and public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly through water pollution and the spread of infectious diseases. Nutrient-rich runoff from this waste contributes to eutrophication, while pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella contaminate surface waters, posing serious risks to human and animal health. Yet, this waste stream also presents opportunities for circular bioeconomy solutions. When converted into biogas, organic fertilizer, or aquaculture feed, livestock waste can help mitigate environmental harm, generate energy, enhance soil health, and support rural livelihoods. This report synthesizes findings from 135 global cases and further presents an in-depth analysis of 26 livestock waste recovery initiatives to highlight diverse models and regional strategies. The available data show that in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, biodigestion is primarily used for household or commercial energy and revenue generation. South and Southeast Asian countries, meanwhile, focus on producing compost, aquaculture feed, and vermicompost. Government support, including subsidies, incentives, and technical assistance, often underpins these efforts, sometimes in collaboration with the private sector. Three broad business models emerge: (i) energy and biofertilizer recovery, (ii) soil nutrient recovery, and (iii) food nutrient recovery for aquaculture. Government-led community initiatives tend to exhibit higher economic feasibility, while private-sector models tend to scale better commercially. With average payback periods of five to six years and cost-benefit ratios ranging from 1 to 2, these models offer scalable solutions—when backed by enabling policies, institutional coordination, and localized feasibility assessments—to promote sustainable rural development and address critical environmental risks. 2025-07-02 2025-07-04T06:02:59Z 2025-07-04T06:02:59Z Report https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175483 en Open Access application/pdf International Water Management Institute Taron, A.; Sathiskumar, A.; Mateo-Sagasta, J.; Singha, R.; Dejen, Z. A.; Chipatecua, G. P.; Bastidas, R. R. 2025. Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 94p. (IWMI Research Report 191). doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2025.215
spellingShingle resource recovery
reuse
animal wastes
livestock production
business models
circular bioeconomy
ecosystems
financial analysis
feasibility studies
stakeholders
case studies
Global South
Taron, Avinandan
Sathiskumar, Abinaya
Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
Singha, R.
Dejen, Z. A.
Chipatecua, G. P.
Bastidas, R. R.
Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
title Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
title_full Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
title_fullStr Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
title_full_unstemmed Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
title_short Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
title_sort resource recovery from livestock waste cases and business models from the global south
topic resource recovery
reuse
animal wastes
livestock production
business models
circular bioeconomy
ecosystems
financial analysis
feasibility studies
stakeholders
case studies
Global South
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175483
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