Return to Content

Organic-based fertilizers: reducing waste to benefit society

August 31, 2018 by Jessica Fitch

Organic-based fertilizers are nothing new. In fact, these sustainable solutions to agricultural challenges have been around for centuries. Ever since farmers realised that the manure from their animals helped their crops to grow stronger and healthier, organic fertilizers have featured heavily in agriculture.

But if this evokes a traditional picture of horse-and-plough farming in your mind – you may be surprised to find out the reality today…

Instead, imagine a spotless scientific lab with modern research facilities and production equipment accompanied by sophisticated marketing strategies.

Today, the organic-based fertilizer sector is research-based, knowledge-intensive and innovation-driven. The industry has found increasingly efficient, smart and effective ways to extract nutrients from an increasing variety of bio-based by-products from a variety of value chains and re-formulate them into safe, high-quality, and effective fertilizers and soil improvers.

Not only that, but now organic-based fertilizers contribute to a resource-efficient, greener and more competitive economy thanks to the beneficial natural processes they generate, and the circular model of production. They are not only a source of recycled nutrients, but also of carbon sequestration– crucial to our fight against climate change.

The organic-based fertilizer industry also creates local employment opportunities and regional economic development. By developing new rural value chains, the industry actively nurtures vibrant manufacturing and farming communities for a high-employment economy with social and territorial cohesion.

The organic-based fertilizers sector makes a substantial contribution to a smart, sustainable and inclusive European economy.