From treating waste to harvesting crops: Pathogen-free, antibiotic resistance genes-free effluents for safe and sustainable irrigation and fertilization- SAFE Crops

Rising fertilizer costs have underscored the need for sustainable agriculture.

As the global population nears 10 billion by 2050, the challenge lies not just in producing enough food but doing so sustainably.

Transitioning to more sustainable farming methods, such as using biofertilizers derived from waste, can ensure a balance between agricultural productivity and ecosystem preservation.Comprehensive studies encompassing the entire process from waste conversion to fertilizer production and its application in food production are limited.

The SAFE Crops project aims to fill this gap and create sustainable and safe irrigation and fertilizer effluents for agricultural applications by utilizing the digested liquid from anaerobic digestors after the removal of volatile fatty acids.

The SAFE Crops project outlines a waste-to-value innovative idea for utilizing the digested liquid from anaerobic digestors and addressing the concerns about the potential presence of various contaminants such as antimicrobial resistance genes, and waterborne pathogens that could contaminate crops and enter the food chain.

The goal is to produce liquid fertilizers that are completely free of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes, ensuring their suitability for agricultural applications and contributing to the safety and sustainability of agricultural practices. The proposed project represents a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and safer agricultural sector.