In both Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, manure is an undervalued component of animal-based value chains, particularly in the poultry sector. The potential for utilizing feces and other organic “waste” in agriculture is enormous. This article explores a unique Dutch system aimed at unlocking these valuable (often odorous) business opportunities.
In Senegal, poultry feces are frequently discarded illegally along the sides of roads. Many farmers are unaware of the “gold” they possess or, if they are aware, they face technical or logistical challenges in utilizing manure effectively. In Côte d’Ivoire, a different issue arises: poultry feces are often applied as fertilizer in cocoa plantations, which can lead to soil acidification over time. Poultry farmers are also under increasing pressure from the Centre Ivoirien Antipollution (CIAPOL), the country’s environmental agency, which is tightening regulations to prevent pollution from manure. Addressing these issues will require policy changes and significant private investments.
Starting with Agroecology in Senegal
Senegal is taking promising steps to better utilize manure through the promotion of agroecology. Several initiatives, supported by NGOs, donors, and farmer organizations, encourage farmers to adopt compost production techniques and incorporate them into their agricultural practices. Platforms like DyTAES and ENDA unite agroecology stakeholders to enhance the sustainability of farming, improve soil quality, and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Numerous programs and projects, detailed in a 2024 report for the Niayes region by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), are active in training farmers and raising awareness about the benefits of agroecology, particularly regarding organic waste management and local compost production. You can request the report, “Mapping Agroecology in the Niayes Region,” (the website is in Dutch).
In 2019, the Senegalese government launched the Plan Sénégal Émergent Vert, a subsidy scheme to assist producers in purchasing organic and bio-fertilizers, including compost and manure. This initiative aims to make these products more accessible to farmers, thereby encouraging a shift toward environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices. In December 2024, the new Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Mabouba Diagne, requested Biotech Services Senegal to increase its compost production.
Taking a Systems Approach to Poultry
To understand the business opportunities arising from organic streams, including manure, in the poultry sectors of both Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal—and to align with the region’s goal of becoming more self-sufficient and resilient—a unique study was commissioned in 2023 by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN) and the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP). The Circle Economy Foundation, along with local experts Dr. Makhtar Diouf (Senegal) and Mr. Pevanny Yeo (Côte d’Ivoire), developed the first systems overview of the poultry sector in each country. This overview highlights the significant amount of valuable organic material that currently goes to waste.
The accompanying figure presents the Material Flows Analysis (MFA) of the poultry system for the year 2022 in Côte d’Ivoire, illustrating the circular valorization of the poultry sector. The results of this analysis were presented at the Africa Poultry Expo 2024 in Rwanda.
Turning Manure into Business
Based on these analyses, several innovative business opportunities have been identified in the region that could transform what is currently viewed as waste into a valuable resource. Some of these solutions are already being explored or implemented by local businesses, which include:
– Compost and Biogas: In Côte d’Ivoire, LONO, a rapidly growing Dutch-Ivorian company, converts organic waste, including feces, into fertilizers and energy carriers. Start-ups like Magic Compost and Biomass d’Ivoire, backed by the Orange Corners program, have recently entered the compost market. In Senegal, Biotech Services Senegal has been tasked by the government to significantly increase its compost production and has integrated poultry feces into its composting process.
– Biochar: Companies such as SPAAK and Beyond Beans in Côte d’Ivoire are investigating the potential of transforming cocoa husks into biochar, a charcoal-like substance that enhances soil quality. This biochar could be further enriched with poultry feces.
– Black Soldier Flies (BSF): Start-ups like Neofarm in Senegal and Bioani in Côte d’Ivoire are utilizing organic waste streams to breed BSF. They are exploring the possibility of incorporating manure as additional feed to produce protein-rich larvae, which can then be used in poultry and fish farming.
