As Africa’s poultry industry continues to grow, sustainable waste management is becoming a critical component of modern livestock production. Beyond improving environmental performance, better manure management presents opportunities for farmers to reduce production costs, improve soil fertility and contribute to climate change mitigation.
In Nigeria, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems has partnered with the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE) to train poultry farmers on climate-smart waste management practices that transform poultry waste into valuable agricultural resources while reducing harmful methane emissions.
The one-day capacity-building workshop, held at the Aiyedoto Poultry Estate in Ojo, brought together 33 poultry farmers to explore practical and affordable solutions for managing organic waste more efficiently. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen climate-smart agriculture and promote environmentally responsible livestock production across Nigeria.
Tackling Methane Emissions Through Better Manure Management
Agricultural experts highlighted that untreated poultry manure is a major source of methane—a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat within the atmosphere. When manure is left to decompose in open dumps or poorly managed storage facilities, oxygen-deficient conditions accelerate methane production, contributing to climate change while creating environmental and public health challenges.
Rather than viewing poultry waste as a disposal problem, the training encouraged farmers to see it as a valuable resource capable of generating economic and environmental benefits.
Participants were introduced to practical waste management techniques that convert poultry manure into useful agricultural inputs, helping improve farm productivity while reducing pollution.
Practical Solutions for Sustainable Poultry Production
The workshop was facilitated by Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), under the ZeroWaste Ambassadors Project and the Capacity Building for Actors in the Waste Management Sector in Lagos State. The programme also supports the Multi-solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN), an initiative promoting climate-friendly waste management and sustainable agricultural practices.
Officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems emphasised that integrating environmental sustainability into livestock production is essential for building resilient agricultural value chains while protecting surrounding communities and natural ecosystems.
Technical sessions, led by PAVE Senior Programmes Manager Victoria Aghaji, demonstrated affordable technologies that poultry farmers can adopt with minimal investment. These included accelerated aerobic composting, biological treatment of poultry manure and small-scale biogas systems capable of capturing waste gases for renewable energy production.
Such technologies are increasingly relevant across Africa as producers seek cost-effective solutions to rising fertiliser prices, waste disposal challenges and growing environmental regulations.
Supporting the Circular Economy
According to PAVE President Anthony Akpan, improved agricultural waste management delivers benefits that extend far beyond individual farms.
He explained that converting poultry manure into high-quality organic fertiliser can reduce reliance on expensive synthetic fertilisers, improve soil health, enhance environmental sanitation and support both national and global climate objectives.
The programme also promoted circular economy principles by encouraging farmers to convert waste into productive resources that generate additional value instead of treating it as an environmental liability.
Participants also viewed The Plastic Detox, a documentary that examines the environmental impacts of plastic pollution while showcasing practical solutions that promote more sustainable agricultural and community practices.
Infrastructure Support Remains Critical
Farmers at the Aiyedoto Poultry Estate welcomed the initiative, noting that improved manure management could help address persistent challenges such as unpleasant odours, insect infestations and waste accumulation affecting neighbouring communities.
Estate Chairman Folusho Adams called for greater investment in composting infrastructure, explaining that several key machines required for efficient manure processing are currently out of service. Restoring this equipment would significantly enhance the estate’s capacity to convert poultry waste into valuable organic products.
During a visit to the estate’s composting facility, representatives from PAVE and the Renevlyn Development Initiative pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to identify practical solutions for rehabilitating the site and strengthening waste processing capacity.
A Model for Sustainable Livestock Production in Africa
As African governments and agricultural organisations intensify efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving food security, climate-smart waste management is emerging as an essential component of sustainable livestock production.
The Lagos initiative demonstrates how strategic partnerships, farmer training and affordable technologies can simultaneously improve environmental stewardship, enhance farm profitability and strengthen climate resilience.
With poultry production expanding rapidly across the continent, similar programmes have the potential to help African farmers transform agricultural waste into economic opportunities while building more sustainable and resilient farming systems for the future.
