Recovery of Organic Waste with Other Biological Components for the Production of Organic Fertilizer: Improved Biochar

Abstract

The study was carried out in Baham district in the West Cameroon region, as part of the recovery of organic waste with other biological components for the manufacture of an organic fertilizer (improved biochar). Through observations and a survey questionnairy submitted to 100 farmers, it appears that the majority use synthetic chemical fertilizers. Farmers using chemical fertilizers find them dangerous to their health. In addition, 58.57% of these farmers said they felt unwell after spreading these fertilizers. However, 64.28% of these farmers do not acquire PPE for reasons of financial means on the one hand and ignorance on the other hand. 54.28% of respondents using only chemical fertilizers noted declining agricultural production. The surveys also reveal that biochar (of plant origin) as a solution proposed by CIPCRE is used by a minority of farmers (21%) in the said locality on the one hand and on the other hand has limits in terms of intake nutrients for crops; this was confirmed by analyzes of the physico-chemical parameters.