Abstract:
Cattle farming waste disposal is an important concern with regard to promoting
organic farming and environmental sustainability. The main objective of this
study was to investigate the disposal methods of cattle farm waste in the Ampara
district and to identify problems faced by cattle farm owners in disposing of the
waste generated. Eight veterinary ranges in the Ampara district i.e., Akkaraipattu,
Addalachchenai, Kalmunai, Samanthurai, Uhana, Pottuvil, Thirukkovil,
Alayadivembu, Nintavur, and Sainthamarathu were selected for the study. The
data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed. The study
found that the waste materials generated were cow dung, urine, bedding material,
wasted feed, wastewater, and placenta. The methods used to dispose of the waste
materials are those of direct selling, giving away for free of charge, surface
application as fertilizer, composting, draining out to crop fields, burning, and
burying. The burying is practiced only for the placenta whereas the burning is
practiced to dispose mainly of wasted feed materials. Lack of support from the
government organization is the main problem faced by farmers to dispose of cattle
farm waste. It is concluded that waste generated from cattle farms in Ampara
district is utilized as fertilizer in a fairly sustainable manner indicating the
awareness among the farmers about the value of the cattle farm waste materials.
It is suggested that with the support of the government organization involved, the
sustainability of cattle farms' waste utilization can be improved further.
