Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South

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dc.creatorTaron, Avinandan
dc.creatorSathiskumar, Abinaya
dc.creatorMateo-Sagasta, Javier
dc.creatorSingha, R.
dc.creatorDejen, Z. A.
dc.creatorChipatecua, G. P.
dc.creatorBastidas, R. R.
dc.date2025-07-02
dc.date2025-07-04T06:02:59Z
dc.date2025-07-04T06:02:59Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T18:31:29Z
dc.descriptionLivestock waste poses significant environmental and public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly through water pollution and the spread of infectious diseases. Nutrient-rich runoff from this waste contributes to eutrophication, while pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella contaminate surface waters, posing serious risks to human and animal health. Yet, this waste stream also presents opportunities for circular bioeconomy solutions. When converted into biogas, organic fertilizer, or aquaculture feed, livestock waste can help mitigate environmental harm, generate energy, enhance soil health, and support rural livelihoods. This report synthesizes findings from 135 global cases and further presents an in-depth analysis of 26 livestock waste recovery initiatives to highlight diverse models and regional strategies. The available data show that in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, biodigestion is primarily used for household or commercial energy and revenue generation. South and Southeast Asian countries, meanwhile, focus on producing compost, aquaculture feed, and vermicompost. Government support, including subsidies, incentives, and technical assistance, often underpins these efforts, sometimes in collaboration with the private sector. Three broad business models emerge: (i) energy and biofertilizer recovery, (ii) soil nutrient recovery, and (iii) food nutrient recovery for aquaculture. Government-led community initiatives tend to exhibit higher economic feasibility, while private-sector models tend to scale better commercially. With average payback periods of five to six years and cost-benefit ratios ranging from 1 to 2, these models offer scalable solutions—when backed by enabling policies, institutional coordination, and localized feasibility assessments—to promote sustainable rural development and address critical environmental risks.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/175483
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/158410
dc.languageen
dc.publisherInternational Water Management Institute
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceTaron, A.; Sathiskumar, A.; Mateo-Sagasta, J.; Singha, R.; Dejen, Z. A.; Chipatecua, G. P.; Bastidas, R. R. 2025. Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 94p. (IWMI Research Report 191). doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2025.215
dc.subjectresource recovery
dc.subjectreuse
dc.subjectanimal wastes
dc.subjectlivestock production
dc.subjectbusiness models
dc.subjectcircular bioeconomy
dc.subjectecosystems
dc.subjectfinancial analysis
dc.subjectfeasibility studies
dc.subjectstakeholders
dc.subjectcase studies
dc.subjectGlobal South
dc.titleResource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
dc.typeReport

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