By Mukter Hossain from Harirampur, Manikganj
For generations, livestock manure has been an important resource in rural farming. It can be used as fuel, for biogas production, in vermicomposting and, most importantly, as organic fertilizer. Yet, this valuable resource is often left unused or poorly managed. Properly collected and composted, however, cow dung can improve soil fertility, reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and lower farming costs.
Sixty-five-year-old farmer Akbar Ali of Andharmanik village in Harirampur upazila, Manikganj, is demonstrating how livestock manure can be turned into a valuable agricultural resource. Instead of allowing cow dung to go to waste, he collects and stores it in a designated heap, allowing it to decompose naturally before using it as organic fertilizer on his farmland. Akbar Ali is a member of the Andharmanik Agragami Farmers’ Organization. He has already stored around 50 maunds of cow dung, which he plans to properly compost and use as fertilizer for different crops.
“My 50 maunds of manure will provide benefits worth around BDT 10,000. It will help to maintain the health of my soil, allow me to produce safer food and reduce the cost of crop production,” Akbar Ali said.
He keeps five cows at home and collects their manure every day rather than discarding it. Once the manure has decomposed and turned into organic fertilizer, he applies it to his fields. He uses the fertilizer to grow rice, mustard, wheat and various vegetables.
According to Akbar Ali, most rural farming households own at least some livestock. If farmers properly collect and use manure, they can reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers and can reduce production costs.
He said, “I have shared my experience and skills with other members of the organization and encouraged them to produce safe food. Making and using organic fertilizer from cow dung can also help reduce the cost of crop production”. His initiative demonstrates how a locally available resource can contribute to more sustainable farming. Regular use of organic manure can help to improve soil structure and fertility while reducing reliance on external agricultural inputs.
Farmers believe that greater use of locally produced organic fertilizer could make agricultural production more sustainable. Experiences like Akbar Ali’s can encourage other farmers to view livestock manure not as waste, but as a valuable resource for healthy soil, safer food and lower-cost farming.