A livestock farm in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte is converting poultry and piggery waste into biogas to produce electricity that powers its operation, with the residual sludge turned into fertilizer for use by local farmers.

The biogas digester of the Rockefeller Poultry Farm Inc. (RPFI) was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) through a zero-interest loan under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). The P5 million loan was used in upgrading the farm’s waste management system, including construction of four lagoons and a dome-shaped biogas digester.

During a project visit on 11 August led by DoST undersecretary for regional operations Engr. Sancho Mabborang and DoST Zamboanga Peninsula regional director Rosemarie Salazar, RPFI owner Lester Ong showed guests and press people the biogas digester, biogas-powered electricity generator, egg processing facility and the chicken and pig pens.

Ong explained that the collected animal waste is digested by microorganisms to minimize foul odor while producing methane.

Without the biogas digester and generator, the farm would have to spend around P800,000 to P900,000 monthly on electricity.

“With the biogas generator, electricity is free or power cost to be paid is minimized to P40,000 or P50,000,” Ong said.

The digester collects and processes manure from around 50,000 to 100,000 livestock. 

The generated biogas reportedly can power a generator with a maximum capacity of 300 kilovolt-amperes, enough to supply the entire farm’s electricity needs for approximately 15 hours.

The biogas digester was constructed two years ago and became operational this year. 

During the tour of the RPFI facility, workers were seen preparing rectangular plots for a vegetable garden in front of the biogas digester facility. Sludge from the digester will be processed into fertilizer that will be used for the garden.

In an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, Ong said they will plant cherry tomatoes, bitter gourd or ampalaya and cucumbers.

A concrete lagoon will store water for irrigation. 

Currently, fertilizer processed by the farm is given away to 40 to 50 farmer employees of RPFI located in Barangay Labrador.

“Our employees have their own vegetable and flower plants,” Ong said. “It is a very good fertilizer. Actually, the black soil that you see there, that is the waste that comes from the dome.”

By turning processed animal waste into fertilizer, the farm gives its waste a second use while providing an additional resource for its workers and supporting more sustainable farming practices. 

Ong said the biogas digester that generates renewable energy addresses waste odor concerns and ensure a more sustainable and resource-efficient farming operation.