Transforming waste into resources

Using agricultural waste, by-products, and materials from local markets and collective kitchens, Mr. Nguyen Dang Vuong, a member of the Farmers' Association in Binh An village, Vinh Chap commune, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, has successfully researched and produced over 300 tons of microbial mixed feed and over 50 tons of microbial organic fertilizer for livestock and crop farming. This is the result of Mr. Vuong's diligent work on his project "Solutions for transforming waste into 'resources,' turning agricultural by-products into microbial organic feed and fertilizer for production." This project recently won the Encouragement Prize at the 10th National Farmers' Technical Innovation Competition organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association in early October 2024.

Mr. Nguyen Dang Vuong receives the Encouragement Award at the 10th National Farmers' Technical Innovation Competition in 2024 - Photo: Provided by the subject.

According to Mr. Vuong, through his research, he found that every year, a considerable amount of waste is released into the environment after harvesting crops; manure and wastewater from livestock farming; and waste from the seafood and fruit trading activities of small traders in the market.

If this waste were recycled and reused effectively in agriculture , it could reduce production costs. Furthermore, the primary use of chemical fertilizers and industrial feed by farmers in livestock and crop production poses many risks, significantly impacting the natural environment and consumer health.

Driven by this concern and drawing on his two years of biotechnology training in Japan, Mr. Vuong decided to collaborate with several members of the Tay Son Clean Agriculture Cooperative (of which he is the director) to research and apply EM (Effective Microorganisms) technology, also known as beneficial microorganisms, to compost by-products and waste materials to create a nutrient-rich feed source for livestock and organic microbial fertilizer for crops.

Sharing about the solution, Mr. Vuong said that he has applied EM microbial technology to his production activities with three main purposes: Firstly, to process mixed microbial feed for poultry and livestock by fermenting rice, paddy, corn, soybeans, bran, fish, shrimp, crab, snails, beer lees, wine lees, soybean meal, sweet potato leaves, water hyacinth, corn stalks, peanut plants, straw, etc., to improve the digestion and absorption of food for livestock.

Secondly, composting organic fertilizer from corn stalks, potato and peanut plants, straw, etc., helps improve soil structure, increasing its looseness and fertility.

Thirdly, raising black soldier flies and treating the environment with beneficial microorganisms helps to decompose and break down livestock and poultry manure, providing food for the black soldier flies; the black soldier fly droppings also drastically reduce odors in the livestock area, limiting environmental pollution.

One innovative aspect of this solution is that he also purchases waste products from businesses at Dong Ha market, such as discarded animal organs, fish heads, fish intestines, etc. He then processes them in two ways: If the products are still fresh and not moldy, he uses EM microorganisms to ferment them, creating a nutrient-rich fish protein feed source for livestock and poultry.

If the product is spoiled, rotten, or moldy, it is mixed with leftover rice and soup scraps from restaurants, communal kitchens, and hotels in Dong Ha City to raise black soldier flies and fermented with probiotics to produce black soldier fly protein.

According to Mr. Vuong, the goal of the solution is to build a closed-loop circular agricultural ecosystem. This involves reusing waste from crop cultivation and livestock farming to serve agricultural production through the application of advanced techniques, biotechnology, and physicochemical technologies. This reduces post-harvest waste and losses, especially minimizing environmentally polluting waste, protecting the ecosystem and human health, while also creating a source of inexpensive yet nutritious feed for livestock.

Mr. Vuong informed that the Tay Son microbial mixed feed product was tested and approved by the Center for Technical Standards and Quality Measurement 2 in October 2023. He used this product to raise 1,000 hybrid yellow-straw chickens, 1,000 guinea fowl, and 1,000 Grimaud ducks in a semi-free-range system.

In addition, he also supplies animal feed and bio-fertilizers to several households in the area in need. This generates revenue of over 3.7 billion VND per year, resulting in a profit of over 280 million VND after deducting expenses.

Mr. Vuong affirmed that applying advanced techniques in raising clean pork using microbial fermentation brings high economic efficiency, minimizes environmental pollution, and prevents disease outbreaks. To create a long-term and sustainable market for his products, Mr. Vuong also uses social media platforms such as Zalo, Facebook, and YouTube to promote and sell his goods.

Through these channels, he has uploaded hundreds of videos sharing his experience in raising chickens, pigs, ducks, etc., organically, as well as promoting his products to consumers. He films the processes of feed production, animal husbandry, processing, and packaging to build trust with consumers.

Before winning the Encouragement Prize at the 10th National Farmers' Technical Innovation Competition, Mr. Vuong's "Tay Son Microbial Mixed Feed" solution won the A prize at the district level for typical rural industrial products; and was recognized as a typical rural industrial product of Quang Tri province in the 7th edition in 2024. Mr. Vuong also received a commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for his achievements in the movement "Farmers competing in excellent production and business, uniting to help each other get rich and sustainably reduce poverty" in the period 2021 - 2023.

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