China targets animal waste as a source of clean power
Print Edition
CHINA is to pay farmers to turn animal excrement into fertilizer and power, the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday, as the government cracks down on agricultural pollution that has for years leaked into rivers and lakes.
Farmers will be given subsidies to build animal waste processing facilities to make fertilizer or to treat manure so it’s safe for disposal, and to install biogas plants that use methane to generate electricity.
A government plan includes setting up recycling programs by 2020 in 200 major counties that have livestock farms. That’s less than half the 586 major counties the government says have pig and poultry farms.
The agriculture ministry gave no details about the size of the subsidies, but the move could be a big step toward curbing chemical fertiliser use and cutting pollution.
“We will help the farmers fully understand how organic fertilizer can improve energy efficiency and the environment,” said Zhong Luqing, director of the ministry’s fertiliser department.
Biogas technology, which can help save on electricity costs, is too expensive for many farmers without government help.
Those researching and using organic fertilizer will also get preferential treatment on loans, taxes, power use and land rent, Zhong said.
Getting rid of animal waste is a major headache for livestock producers worldwide, partly because of the strong odor and damage caused to the atmosphere by the release of harmful gases. Run-off containing animal waste can also seep into the water table and contaminate rivers and lakes.
In China, how to better dispose of animal waste has become a particular problem due to the fast growth of poultry and pig farming over the past decade to meet the demand for higher-quality meat. Chinese livestock farms generate nearly 4 billion tons of waste a year, according to the ministry.
“We will strengthen policy support and increase subsidies to support farmers to use organic fertilizer ... especially large-scale farmers, family farms and cooperatives,” Zhong said.
The plan is part of China’s effort to limit chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which have contaminated soil and water. China uses about a third of the world’s fertilizers.
China has said it is targeting zero growth of chemical fertilizer and pesticide by 2020. It has been urging farmers to use less chemical fertilizer and turn to animal manure instead.
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