Goat manure fertilizer training

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ANIMAL Science lecturer Charles Maika recently delivered training on how to use goat manure as fertilizer for cocoa production to farmers on Tabar Island in New Ireland.
Participants were taught that fertilizers are important for cocoa production.
With commercial fertilizers being too expensive to maintain the soil fertility of cocoa trees; Mr Maika trained the farmers how to use goat manure as a cheaper organic fertilizer to save costs while increasing the agricultural output from a unit area of land via its diversified farming activities.
Some topics Mr Maika’s presentation covered included: Role of Livestock integration in PNG communities; Cocoa and goat integration technologies; Locally available feedstuff to match Goat feeding behavior; Goat house and management systems (confined and outdoor based);
Animal Health and disease surveillance; Quarantine a
nd biosecurity practices; and others.
Participants were taught the integrated system which allows for goats to be raised in a house established near the cocoa farm, using a flooring system designed to separate pelletized faeces from the animals as soon as they are eliminated.
The manure is collected and stored in another shed where it remains dry and free from moisture. This product is later mixed with other organic matter from the cocoa farm and covered to produce the goat manure compost and takes up to 12 months to ferment before it is applied to cocoa trees as an organic fertilizer.

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