EXPECTED RESULTS

This operational plan aims to produce sustainable growth products for the benefit of the agricultural sector for animal feed production. In this way, it becomes possible to reintegrate agricultural waste in the form of biological fertilizers – compost.

Progress: 30%

Expected results

In addition, the benefits of the business plan concern the low cost of selling the product and the innovation of compost production. The opportunity to obtain Ecolabel certification of the compost produced from agri-food waste is taken advantage of, as well as the increase in potential end users. More specifically, the agricultural and livestock sector in Greece is characterized by a large volume of waste, which is expected to be used for the production of soil improver certified by Ecolabel, which is an indication of environmental responsibility.

Through the application of certified compost to the crops, the reduction of management costs for the disposal of agricultural and livestock waste is achieved, the production of animal feed with a reduced environmental footprint compared to the use of synthetic fertilizers (avoidance of 6-7kg CO2/kg synthetic fertiliser). Finally, it is expected to increase crop efficiency by 25%, protect the natural environment and water resources, maintain sustainability through the utilization of agricultural waste and its transformation into useful agricultural by-products, and finally, the acquisition of the Ecolabel of produced soil conditioner.

Implementation methology

The implementation methodology of the operational plan consists of the following:

  • Analysis of quality composition of compost produced by MP Energy: continuous sampling of representative compost and analysis of physicochemical characteristics based on specific standards. Key analysis parameters: C/N ratio, amounts of total P, total K, total N, content of organic matter and ash, content of nutrients and heavy metals (Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr), electrical conductivity and pH. Additionally important parameters are the type, quality and ratio of the substrate used to produce an ideal soil conditioner based on the needs of the crops free from diseases and pathogens (such as salmonella, Helminth ova, E. Coli)
  • Soil quality analyses: receipt of representative soil samples from the proposed areas, analysis of physicochemical characteristics of the samples and evaluation of the results in relation to the desired compost quality – suggestions for improving the composition of the substrate
  • Choice of crops (vee, clover have been suggested)
  • Quantification of recommended dose of compost addition based on the needs of each crop and according to the results of compost and soil analyzes
  • Application of compost with Ecolabel specifications in organic crops and comparison of the yield of each crop with or without the application of compost (measurement of produced biomass kg/sq.)
  • Development of an application manual for an Ecolabel certified soil conditioner and an economic model based on the sustainability of the use of compost for the production of organic animal feed with the aim of ration production