Development of a Low-Carbon Fish Farming Circulation Model for the Intelligent Reuse of Swine Wastes

Development of a Low-Carbon Fish Farming Circulation Model for the Intelligent Reuse of Swine Wastes

Pork is one of the primary meats consumed in Taiwan, accounting for approximately 35-40% of all meat consumption. It is supplied by nearly 6,000 pig farms in Taiwan, collectively rearing over 5.3 million pigs. The extensive excrement produced during the rearing process contains high concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter. If discharged into water bodies, this waste can cause eutrophication, leading to water pollution and ecosystem destruction, and may also contaminate soil and groundwater. On the other hand, although studies have suggested the transformation of pig manure into fertilizer, the treatment process can generate odors and pathogenic issues. Furthermore, the improper disposal of pig manure and wastewater not only severely impacts the environment and sparks public debate but also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In Taiwan's agricultural sector, emissions from livestock manure account for about 91% of methane and 45% of nitrous oxide emissions. Therefore, pig farms require considerable financial, temporal, and human resources to manage pig manure and wastewater in compliance with government emission standards. Implementing the concept of circular agriculture to repurpose waste effectively, by recycling the abundant nutrients in pig manure and wastewater, could save substantial resources and reduce the costs for farms, while also decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, aiding in achieving the government's 2040 net-zero agricultural goal.