Turning Waste into Wealth: The Case of Date Palm Composting

Lena Kalukuta Mahina (), Elmostafa Gagou, Khadija Chakroune, Abdelkader Hakkou, Mondher El Jaziri, Touria Lamkami and Bruno Van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie
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Lena Kalukuta Mahina: Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Université Libre de Bruxelles, TIMES2, 50 Av. Franklin Roosevelt, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Elmostafa Gagou: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biotechnology, Ethnopharmacology and Health, Faculty of Sciences, Université Mohamed Premier, BV Mohammed VI BP717, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Khadija Chakroune: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biotechnology, Ethnopharmacology and Health, Faculty of Sciences, Université Mohamed Premier, BV Mohammed VI BP717, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Abdelkader Hakkou: Laboratory of Bioresources, Biotechnology, Ethnopharmacology and Health, Faculty of Sciences, Université Mohamed Premier, BV Mohammed VI BP717, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Mondher El Jaziri: Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Prof. Jenner et Brachet 8, Gosselies, 6041 Brussels, Belgium
Touria Lamkami: Département Pedagogique, Haute École Francisco Ferrer, Rue de la Fontaine 4, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Bruno Van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie: Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Université Libre de Bruxelles, TIMES2, 50 Av. Franklin Roosevelt, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Bruno van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie ()

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: This study investigates the economic viability of a new composting station dedicated to the recycling of date palm by-products. A field experiential analysis was performed in the Figuig Oasis (Morocco), providing the first evidence on the agronomic quality of the compost. The compost produced from date palm by-product was compared to cattle manure and unamended soil and can be considered as a good-quality amendment, demonstrating its ability to enhance soil fertility. Second, a socio-economic survey was conducted to explore farmers’ perceptions and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. A total of 201 farmers out of 450 farmers registered in Figuig’s municipal administration were surveyed. In terms of fertilisation, farmers preferred locally produced organic fertiliser when available in order to improve soil organic matter content and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. The selling price for the compost was set at 0.14 EUR/kg to reflect the current market price for compost and the willingness of about 38% of the farmers surveyed to buy it. Third, a detailed cost/benefit analysis was performed, with a breakdown of the station’s operational and investment expenses. This illustrates the minimum scale needed to generate a viable business model. Financial projections show that increasing production capacity from 350 tonnes/year to 3500 tonnes/year reduces unit production costs while increasing profits. As illustrated by the application of the Ecocanvas framework, the socio-economic analysis reveals the potential to generate positive environmental, economic, and social impacts, as the circular approach could be replicable and scalable in similar oases agro ecosystems.

Keywords: agriculture; business model; circularity; composting; date palm; Figuig (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Working Paper: Turning Waste into Wealth: The Case of Date Palm Composting (2025)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7980-:d:1742418

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