Formulated Faecal Sludge and Compost Fertilizer Pellet for Crop Production: The Case Study of the Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant

Dennis Ofori-Amanfo

doi:10.11648/j.ajep.20180701.12

Abstract

The application of excreta-based fertilizers has attracted attention due to the increasing prices of chemically produced fertilizers and low soil fertility problem of the agricultural land. This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of mixed dried Faecal Sludge (DFS) and municipal organic Compost pelletized on lettuce production. Faecal sludge was dried and mixed with compost produced from Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACRP). Analysis of the characteristics of Dry Faecal Sludge and Compost informed in the formulation of three (3) different composition in accordance with estimated variation on percentage nitrogen of 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%. The ratios were 1:3.3, 1:1.1 and 1:0.4 (w/w) of Dry Faecal Sludge and Compost respectively. The mixed formulation was pelletized using a pelletizer machine. Starch and clay were used as binding materials for pelletization. The pelletized treatment was used in the production of lettuce. Application of the pelletized treatments confirmed that, pelletize mix of Dry Faecal Sludge and Compost with starch as a binder is highly recommended as it had greater significant effect (p<0.05) on Lettuce Height, wet weight and number of leafs. M3 with ratio 1:0.4 (w/w) DM basis of faecal sludge and compost recorded the highest average dry weight of lettuce.

Highlights

In Ghana, as in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), human excreta from on-site sanitation systems are dumped in the environment without any appropriate treatment [1]
The study consists of comparing the nutrient composition of binding agents and it impact on the feed stock (DFS and compost)
The study has shown that application of pelletized treatment samples of dry faecal sludge and compost can promote vegetative growth

Summary

Introduction

In Ghana, as in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), human excreta from on-site sanitation systems are dumped in the environment without any appropriate treatment [1]. Waste management is a critical issue in Ghana’s cities. Collection and disposal services are failing to cope with the increasing waste generation that comes with the highest urban growth rates in the world [2]. Excessive land application of raw sewage leads to water pollution through run-off, often culminating in fish kills, eutrophication, high ammonia losses to the atmosphere accompanied by serious odour problems causing a public nuisance. It is believed that poor sanitation costs Ghana about $290 million per year according to a desk study carried out by the Water and Sanitation Program [3, 1213]. An average of 700 m3 of FS from an average of 100 tankers is disposed off at Korle Gonno every day in the capital [4]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion