Circular agriculture of livestock and farming is a circular economic system that produces agricultural products using high-quality compost and liquid fertilizer, then utilizes those agricultural products and Busan materials again for livestock farming. The success of this system depends on mutual trust and cooperation among livestock farmers, crop farmers, compost and liquid fertilizer producers, and application service providers. Such cooperation can be sustained only when mutual trust and economic benefits are present together.
While the area of arable land in Korea continues to shrink, the volume of livestock manure has not decreased significantly, leading to stagnation in the consumption of compost and liquid fertilizer. As a result, approximately 21% of annual production remains as inventory at livestock cooperative resource recovery facilities (2023 Korean Society for Animal Environment Symposium Symposium). Although biochar utilization projects are being promoted to resolve the issue of compost accumulation, economic viability and market potential remain uncertain.
Most such projects focus on supply-side support, while support for consumers—crop farmers—is relatively insufficient. Since stability of supply and demand is crucial for circular agriculture of livestock and farming, projects that create an environment where crop farmers, as consumers, can use these products with peace of mind should be expanded.
In 2025, the average income of livestock farmers was 88.38 million won, which is 2.21 times that of rice paddy farmers, 1.35 times that of orchard farmers, and 2.12 times that of vegetable farmers. Nevertheless, costs for livestock manure treatment still rely heavily on national taxes.
As the saying "Wag the Dog" suggests, meat, milk, and eggs are the body of the livestock industry, while livestock manure is the tail. However, the problem of manure treatment has now become a situation that shakes the livestock industry itself. Therefore, policy focus must shift from expanding manure treatment to expanding consumption.
To increase the consumption of compost and liquid fertilizer, quality information for users must be provided first. Although compost is a type of fertilizer, its nutrient content is currently not displayed. In other words, even the minimum information necessary for consumers to choose products is not being provided.
Despite being in the era of smart agriculture, compost is still applied based on experience and tradition. There are also numerous research findings indicating that long-term repeated use of livestock manure compost on farmland leads not only to nutrient excess but also increased levels of harmful heavy metals. Quality information provision and technical consulting must be strengthened so that users can determine appropriate application amounts suitable for the condition of their farmland.
Liquid fertilizer projects are also being conducted with a supply-side focus by the government. Reflecting the demands of the liquid fertilizer supply industry, quality standards were relaxed from a total nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium content of 0.3% or more to 0.2% or more. The relaxation of quality standards was a policy consideration for expanding consumption.
Now, the supply industry must also make corresponding efforts. Crop farmers using chemical fertilizers do not reject compost and liquid fertilizer itself. They hesitate to use them because nutrient content is unknown and there is a lack of reliable guidance on usage methods.
There is a "principle of superiority" in fertilizer use. Since the key nutrients that determine growth and yield vary by crop, appropriate nutrient management tailored to each crop is necessary. Compost has a significant effect on phosphorus supply, while liquid fertilizer has a significant effect on potassium supply.
If these two fertilizers are appropriately utilized according to soil conditions and the nutrient requirements of crops, it is possible to maintain soil health while simultaneously increasing both the yield and quality of agricultural products. To achieve this, not only the supply of high-quality compost and liquid fertilizer but also professional services that facilitate their proper use are essential.
During the past era of rural guidance offices, on-site technical guidance and farming consulting were major projects. However, since the implementation of local autonomy, administrative tasks at agricultural technology centers have increased, causing a relative decline in on-site technical support functions.
Currently, soil testing and fertilizer prescription certificates are still issued, but there is insufficient professional personnel to analyze actual fertilizer usage by farmers and provide continuous consulting linked with soil test results. Just as it is difficult to receive appropriate treatment and management if one only receives blood test results from a health checkup without consulting a specialist, a technical support system that guides the use of compost and liquid fertilizer based on soil testing and provides post-management support is urgently needed.
Farmers thirsty for such information end up relying on unverified online information or commercial promotions, ultimately wasting time and money.
For these reasons, I have previously proposed the introduction of a "Soil Doctor" system. Soil Doctors should be entrusted with professional roles such as soil diagnosis, fertilizer prescription, compost and liquid fertilizer utilization technology, and nutrient management consulting according to their qualification levels, while also being assigned responsibility for both professionalism and public interest.
The circular agriculture of livestock and farming project is being promoted by the state with significant budget allocation, aiming to increase farmers' income, treat livestock manure generation, reduce odors, improve nutrient balance, preserve water quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The success of our current circular agriculture of livestock and farming projects depends on supplying high-quality compost and liquid fertilizer and creating an environment where farmers can use them with peace of mind.
Now is the time to shift policy focus from supply-side support to user-side support. That is why a Soil Doctor system is needed, and it is the most realistic policy for sustainable circular agriculture of livestock and farming.
in OPINION
