Organic fertilizer uses livestock and poultry manure, straw, kitchen waste, and other organic waste as raw materials. Through standardized processes, it is transformed into safe and efficient green fertilizer, serving as an important carrier for circular agriculture and soil improvement. The complete organic fertilizer production process mainly includes four core stages: raw material pretreatment, fermentation and maturation, deep processing and shaping, and screening and packaging, ensuring harmlessness, stabilization, and commercialization throughout.
Raw material pretreatment is the foundation of production. First, livestock and poultry manure, crop straw, and mushroom residue are collected, and impurities such as plastics and stones are removed. Then, a crusher is used to pulverize large pieces of material to below 2 cm, improving fermentation efficiency. Subsequently, the carbon-nitrogen ratio and moisture content are adjusted, controlling the moisture content at 55%-65% to create suitable conditions for microbial reproduction. Pretreatment shortens the fermentation cycle and avoids problems such as anaerobic odor and seedling burn later on.
Fermentation and maturation is the core step in organic fertilizer production. The pretreated materials are piled up or placed in fermentation tanks, and fermentation agents are inoculated to initiate high-temperature fermentation. The fermentation process requires maintaining a temperature of 55-65℃ for at least 7 days to thoroughly kill pathogens, insect eggs, and weed seeds. During this period, a compost turner is used to regularly turn the compost pile to provide oxygen and promote rapid decomposition of organic matter.
Deep processing determines the product's form and quality. Granular fertilizer has a more refined processing flow and is currently one of the most popular forms of organic fertilizer on the market. The composted material is first refined to less than 1 mm using an ultrafine pulverizer to ensure uniformity and fineness, laying the foundation for subsequent granulation. Then, a vibrating screen is used for preliminary screening to thoroughly remove uncomposted lumps and impurities, avoiding any impact on granulation and fertilizer efficacy. The granulation stage is crucial in granular fertilizer production. Commonly used granulation equipment includes disc granulators. Disc granulators use a high-speed rotating disc to mix the material with a suitable binder, using centrifugal force to roll it into round and uniform granules. After granulation, the granules are sent to a dryer, where hot air drying reduces the moisture content to below 20%. This not only improves granule strength and prevents clumping and mold growth during storage but also further kills any remaining harmful microorganisms. After drying, the granules are at a high temperature and need to be cooled to room temperature in a cooling machine to prevent deformation and nutrient loss due to high temperatures. Some high-end granular fertilizers also undergo a coating process, coating the granules with a biodegradable material. This reduces nutrient volatilization and loss, allows for slow nutrient release, extends the fertilizer's effectiveness, and meets the growth needs of different crops.
Finally, the fertilizer is screened and packaged. The finished product undergoes grading and screening to ensure uniform particle size and compliance with standards before leaving the factory. Using automated metering and packaging equipment, the granular fertilizer is packaged in standard sizes such as 25 kg and 50 kg, labeled with information including nutrient content, production date, and shelf life. It is then stored in a moisture-proof, ventilated, and cool environment, avoiding direct sunlight and dampness to prevent mold growth and ensure stable product quality.
From waste to high-quality fertilizer, organic fertilizer production is based on biological conversion and supported by mechanical processing, solving agricultural pollution problems while providing high-quality nutrients to arable land.
