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Creating a high-productive complex, which will operate in closed loop, is not possible without the introduction of new technology, hard work and considerable resources. Ordinary manure will plays not the least role here. This is opinion of L. Oliynyk, director of «Podolskiy gospodar» Corporation «Svarog West Group», Honored Worker of Agriculture of Ukraine. During the interview he told us a lot of interesting facts about prospects that are opened through the processing of humus.
- Increasing quantity of products and also natural wastes is a result of the expansion of animal husbandry sector - Leonid Stepanovich shares his thoughts. - In many Western countries manure is even considered a full-fledged product, almost equal to meat and milk. Fertilizers and biogas are produced during the processing of manure. Our corporation is not accustomed to miss new opportunities. Therefore, considerable attention is paid to new prospects of recycling.
Corporation "Svarog West Group" concluded an agreement with the All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural use of reclaimed land in the city of Tver, and purchased Biofermentator technology. Due to this certain amount of manure is being processed into peat compost. In addition, the well-known "Podolskiy biohumus" lived up to expectations. Californian worm vermiculture which was purchased last year, turned out to be well-proven.
However, the corporation does not stop at this point. We are searching for partners for the construction of biogas facility in «Orshivska» agroindustrial firm. We get biogas and organic fertilizer as a result of processing manure. This gas requires only little further purification. So one can use it for electricity production, and fertilizers are brought to the fields to improve fertility.
Foreign delegation, which had recently visited Ukraine searching for farms for the placement first pilot biogas plants have been pleasantly impressed by visiting «Orshivska» firm. Experienced supervisor of this agricultural firm and well-maintained infrastructure of livestock industry have become a decisive factor in choosing a site for construction. So, we are thoroughly investigating this possibility of collaboration.
We were advised to gain experience in Belarus in the process of communicating with representatives of different companies. Biogas plants ceased to be a novelty long ago there. In general, the agricultural sector in Belarus is quite developed. So far there are collective farms, although agricultural firms and corporations are operating in parallel. The farm that we visited with the N. Cheredaryk, was located near Brest. It possess 85 000 head of cattle. Belarusian colleagues shared a lot of interesting nuances and important points related with the construction biogas installation.
An alternative to biogas plants is outdoor fermentation, which is also a fairly efficient way. Manure is being loosed and saturated with oxygen by aerators. So there is no need to built special fermentation facility. This method is very common in Poland. It is possible to determine the best way of recycling manure only by comparing all the advantages and disadvantages of the abovementioned ways. After all, we have the potential and are willing to work and learn.
So we know how to use meat and milk. And we are learning now how to use other animal products. The calculations speak for themselves. For example, having a herd of 1500 cows with the processing of manure allows fertilize annually 5000 ha and produce biogas which will be used directly for domestic needs of the enterprise: heating, electricity production. Besides, cars can be primed with purified biometane.
This is not just cost savings. This is another step in the direction of organic farming. Its products cost three times expensive and are always in demand. Ukrainian agriculture is fully capable to perform organic farming, but it needs successful advertising, packaging, promotion, company stores and cooperation with research institutions. Therefore, we can not compete with foreign producers in this area yet. And the financial crisis also made its tribute. But all the difficulties will be solved one day, and then it will be possible to implement the plans.