Quality Analysis of Feacal Sludge and Rich Husk Co-Compost

Rice husk and fecal sludge are significant waste management challenges in Ghana, often leading to sanitation and environmental issues. Given their complementary nutrient profiles (rice husk: potassium, organic carbon; fecal sludge: nitrogen, phosphorus), co-composting these bio-wastes presents a promising agricultural application. These biowastes, while rich in nutrients, can contribute to pollution when improperly managed. This study aimed to mitigate these issues by co-composting rice husk and fecal sludge to produce a nutrient-rich compost suitable for agricultural applications. This study aimed to optimize rice husk compost through co-composting with fecal sludge. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) experiment was conducted at the University of Skill Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) Mampong campus. Rice husk (R) and fecal sludge (F) were mixed in varying ratios (RF 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2) and subjected to aerobic composting. Results indicated that raw rice husk was nutrient-deficient compared to fecal sludge. However, co-composting significantly enhanced nutrient content. The RF 1:2 ratio yielded the highest total nitrogen (21,000 mg/kg), phosphorus (9,300 mg/kg), and mineralized nutrients. Pathogen reduction was also observed, with RF 1:2 demonstrating the lowest levels of total and fecal coliforms. Based on these findings, co-composting rice husk and fecal sludge in a 1:2 ratio is recommended for producing high-quality compost that can be used to improve agricultural productivity while mitigating waste management challenges.