Transforming Livestock Manure into Black Gold for a Sustainable Future

Taiwan's livestock industry is essential for providing high-quality meat and protein. But as the industry has grown, so have the challenges of managing livestock waste. By adopting innovative recycling methods, Taiwan is turning this waste into valuable resources such as liquid fertilizer, green energy, and biomass, setting an example in circular economy practices.

A Historical Perspective

In the past, livestock farming in rural areas was a small-scale family activity. Farmers typically kept a few pigs or chickens, turning agricultural by-products into meat and eggs. The manure from these animals was used as fertilizer, enriching the soil and supporting crop growth.

In 1954, Taiwan Sugar Corporation began large-scale pig farming, using manure as fertilizer for sugarcane fields. However, by the 1970s, industrial-scale livestock farming had grown so much that the waste produced exceeded the environment’s capacity to handle it. Untreated livestock wastewater became a major source of pollution, leading to public complaints.

To address this, the Livestock Research Institute developed a three-stage wastewater treatment system in the 1980s. While the system was effective, it required significant resources, and the nutrient-rich treated water often went unused.

Promoting the Reuse of Manure Wastewater

To make better use of livestock wastewater, the Council of Agriculture conducted reuse experiments in 2009 and 2010. The results showed that treated wastewater could be safely applied to crops without causing odors, spreading diseases, or polluting groundwater. Crop yields were just as good as those achieved with chemical fertilizers. However, despite these positive outcomes, complicated regulations and tedious application processes made it difficult to adopt these practices on a larger scale.

Collaborative Efforts

Since 2011, the Council of Agriculture has been actively promoting the reuse of livestock manure wastewater for agricultural purposes on a case-by-case basis. In 2015, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) introduced water pollution prevention fees for livestock farms, motivating them to adopt resource reuse practices. By the end of 2016, 32 reuse cases had been approved, benefiting crops like rice, green onions, and guavas, while also conserving significant amounts of irrigation water each year.

On December 27, 2017, the EPA made further amendments to the 'Regulations Governing Water Pollution Control Measures and Testing Reporting Management' by adding Article 46-1. This article provides clear guidelines for livestock farms raising pigs or cattle, requiring them to implement one of the following resource recycling measures: 

1. Reusing livestock manure wastewater for agricultural irrigation. 
2. Utilizing biogas slurry and residues as farmland fertilizers. 
3. Using treated wastewater that meets discharge standards for plant irrigation.

Diverse Utilization of Livestock Wastewater

Livestock wastewater has uses beyond agricultural reuse—it can also be processed through anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, a renewable energy source rich in methane. This biogas can be utilized for power generation and heating, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2017, the Council of Agriculture has been actively promoting biogas utilization on pig farms, supporting the installation of biogas power systems. By the end of 2023, more than 53% of pig farms in Taiwan had adopted biogas systems, making a significant impact on carbon emission reductions and offering sustainable energy solutions.

In addition, the sludge produced during livestock wastewater treatment, which is rich in microorganisms and nutrients, has been repurposed as a valuable resource for industrial wastewater treatment. By providing this 'black gold' to industries such as petrochemicals and optoelectronics, livestock farms have created mutually beneficial partnerships that further contribute to sustainability and resource efficiency.

A Model for the Future

Taiwan's livestock industry is setting a new standard for circular economy practices through continuous innovation and resource recycling. It not only provides high-quality protein but also generates green energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and delivers nutrient-rich solutions for agriculture and industry. By transforming livestock waste into valuable resources, the industry is driving sustainable development while enhancing the competitiveness of Taiwan's agricultural sector.