The Economic and Social Implication of Using Animal Excreta as Fertilizer and Feedstuff: Profitability and Environmental Protection Simulation Model

ABSTRACT

In recent times chemical fertilizer has been implicated in environmental pollution on a global scale. Also, in Nigeria, the current high prices coupled with untimeliness of the input supply add credence to any effort aimed at finding a good substitute whose use would result in increased productivity and environmental purity.

A multiobjective linear programming model was used for the study. To be feasible in terms of the supplies of animal wastes as fertilizer as well as feedstuff, the total collectable animal wastes must not be less than the required amount (in quantity and quality) for optimal crops and livestock productivity.

The use of animal waste technology as fertilizer and feedstuff provides a good meausre of environmental pollution control. The production model has shown that the marginal damage due to environmental pollution caused by the use of chemical fertilizer is higher than the marginal damage due to cross-media pollution transfers, from the use of animal excreta. Consequently, the use of animal excreta in crop production results in a larger net benefit to society than the use of chemical fertilizer.

KEYWORDS:

• Chemical fertilizer
• environment
• manure
• Nigeria