Sustainable Nutrient Recycling Strategies in Livestock Production within Circular Bioeconomy Frameworks

Abstract

Recycling of nutrients is a critical solution that can help increase the productivity of livestock while decreasing the environmental impact and work towards the circular bioeconomy goals. There are a number of nutrient losses that can be introduced into the conventional livestock production system, such as manure mismanagement, Greenhouse Gas emissions, eutrophication and inefficient resource utilization. This review focuses on sustainable nutrient recycling strategies in livestock production systems that integrate concepts of circular resource management, crop–livestock interactions, and cutting-edge technologies for nutrient recovery. Nutrient flow pathways and the major sources of N, P and K, and their environmental impacts are discussed. It also examines sustainable technologies for improving nutrient use efficiency and renewable energy production, such as the collection and processing of animal manure (composting, vermicomposting, ANAEROBIC DIGESTION, BIOGAS production), as well as the recovery and reuse of nutrients from digestate and manure/wastewater. The proposed circular bioeconomy framework emphasises closed-loop recycling solutions which are low in waste and high in soil fertility, agricultural productivity and ecosystem sustainability. Moreover, there is a current discussion of technological constraints, monitoring problems, scalability aspects and the resilience in the face of climate change, followed by a discussion of future research needs. The adoption of precision agriculture, the use of artificial intelligence, monitoring with the Internet of Things and decision-support with data should further support adaptive nutrient management and recycling efficiency. All these integrated approaches can help build environment friendly, economically sustainable and climate resilient livestock production systems that can support global sustainable development and circular bioeconomy targets.