5-6T/H Rice Husk Bagasse Cattle Manure Fertilizer Processing Line in Thailand

Project Background

Agriculture has long been the backbone of Thailand’s economy, with rice, sugarcane, and livestock forming the pillars of rural livelihoods. In recent years, environmental pressures and market forces have pushed both farmers and policymakers to seek sustainable solutions for waste management. One of the critical challenges facing Thai cattle farmers is the disposal of manure. Large dairy and beef operations produce thousands of tons of manure annually, which, if unmanaged, contributes to methane emissions, water pollution, and odor nuisances.

The client in this fertilizer manufacturing project is a cooperative of dairy and beef cattle farmers located in central Thailand. Collectively, the cooperative manages more than 10,000 head of cattle. Faced with rising fertilizer prices, tightening environmental regulations, and increasing demand from rice and fruit growers for organic soil amendments, the cooperative decided to invest in a fertilizer pellet production line. By processing cattle manure into standardized pellets, the cooperative could achieve three goals simultaneously:

• Resolve manure disposal issues
• Create a new revenue stream from fertilizer sales
• Contribute to Thailand’s sustainability and circular economy policies

The rice husk bagasse cattle manure fertilizer processing line in Thailand has a designed hourly capacity of 5-6 tons per hour, translating into 20000 tons of organic fertilizer pellets annually. These pellets are intended for domestic use in Thailand’s rice-growing areas, as well as for export to neighboring markets such as Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, where demand for organic inputs is expanding.

Raw Materials

Thailand provides abundant raw materials for organic fertilizer production. In this project, the primary input is cattle manure collected from cooperative members’ farms. To improve pellet structure and nutrient balance, other agricultural residues are blended into the feedstock. This practice enhances product quality and ensures year-round supply stability.

This combination allows flexibility in adjusting moisture and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios during processing, ensuring pellets meet Thai agricultural standards.

Process Technology

The organic fertilizer production line utilizes ring die fertilizer pellet machines, well suited to large-scale, continuous operations. The process begins with raw material reception, followed by crushing and drying of residues like rice husks and corn stalks. Cattle manure undergoes solid–liquid separation to reduce moisture to manageable levels. All inputs are then homogenized in mixers, where additives such as microbial inoculants or mineral supplements can be included.

The pelletizing stage is the heart of the process. Here, the prepared mixture is fed into a ring die organic fertilizer pellet machine, which compresses the material under high pressure to form dense, uniform pellets. Compared to flat die models, ring die machines provide higher throughput, longer service life, and better pellet uniformity. Pellets exit the die at elevated temperatures and are immediately cooled to stabilize structure and reduce moisture. Finally, they are screened, bagged, and stored for distribution.

Key features of the technology

• High automation with PLC control, reducing labor intensity
• Consistent pellet quality, ensuring size and hardness meet market expectations
• Energy-efficient motors, lowering operational costs
• Scalability, allowing future expansion of production lines if demand increases

Equipment Configuration

The equipment set supplied by RICHI Machinery was tailored to Thailand’s material characteristics and cooperative needs. The rice husk bagasse cattle manure fertilizer processing line in Thailand includes:

• Raw material receiving hoppers and conveyors
• Crushing units for crop residues
• Solid–liquid separators for cattle manure
• Rotary drum dryer for moisture adjustment
• Double-shaft mixer for homogenization
• Ring die cow dung pellet making machine
• Counterflow cooler
• Vibrating screen
• Automatic bagging system
• Auxiliary conveyors and control system

The entire rice husk bagasse cattle manure fertilizer processing line in Thailand was delivered, installed, and commissioned within six months, with training provided to cooperative staff.

Investment and Costs

Based on Thai market conditions in 2023, the total investment for the project was approximately USD 380,000. This included equipment costs, installation, local civil works, and initial raw material handling adjustments. The price aligns with the range for a line of this capacity (USD 280,000–430,000).

Labor costs in Thailand are moderate, averaging USD 12–15 per worker per day for agricultural workers, which significantly reduces operational expenditure. Electricity costs, while rising, remain manageable, especially as the cooperative negotiated preferential agricultural tariffs.

Annual operating costs (excluding depreciation) are projected at USD 120,000–150,000, mainly covering electricity, labor, maintenance, and packaging materials. With fertilizer pellets retailing at USD 120–150 per ton, the cooperative expects to recover its investment within three years.

Environmental Considerations

• Manure management: Avoids methane emissions and water contamination from open manure dumping
• Nutrient recycling: Returns organic matter and nutrients to the soil, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers
• Waste reduction: Utilizes rice husks, bagasse, and corn stalks that would otherwise be burned, contributing to air pollution

The facility complies with Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives guidelines for organic fertilizer production, and no wastewater is discharged into rivers. Instead, process water is recycled for manure pre-treatment.

Market and Prospects in Thailand

Thailand's organic agriculture sector is expanding rapidly. With growing consumer demand for safe and environmentally friendly food, organic rice, fruits, and vegetables are gaining premium prices. The establishment of this rice husk bagasse cattle manure fertilizer processing line in Thailand directly addresses the shortage of high-quality organic fertilizer. Farmers prefer pelletized fertilizers because they are easy to transport, store, and apply compared to raw manure.

Thailand's government has launched incentives under its Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model, promoting biowaste utilization and sustainable inputs. This provides a favorable policy environment for such projects. Beyond domestic markets, Thailand’s geographic position allows the cooperative to export pellets to nearby ASEAN countries, strengthening its business case.

Conclusion and RICHI's Role

This Thailand case study demonstrates how a cattle-farming cooperative turned an environmental liability into an economic asset. By investing in a ring die organic fertilizer pellet production line, the cooperative now produces tens of thousands of tons of standardized pellets annually, supporting both its members’ farms and external customers.

The rice husk bagasse cattle manure fertilizer processing line in Thailand project's success hinged on three factors:

• Abundant raw material supply from local cattle and agriculture
• Appropriate technology in the form of ring die pellet mills
• Professional equipment provider with international experience

RICHI Machinery's ability to design, deliver, and commission a customized line that fit Thailand’s conditions was instrumental. With continued demand for organic fertilizers, similar projects in Thailand and across Southeast Asia hold excellent potential. For investors and cooperatives seeking to replicate this success, RICHI offers proven expertise, competitive pricing, and end-to-end service.