Animal Origin Compost Potential and Optimum Facility Locations in Samsun

Abstract

Compared to industrial wastes, the recycling of agricultural wastes is more efficient because they are organic. The low organic matter content of Anatolian agricultural lands makes the recycling of agricultural wastes even more important. In the Samsun region, compost centres are recommended in order to help increase productivity in agricultural production, develop agricultural activities and ensure rural development. It is very important to use natural fertilizers because it is to protect and improve the organic structure of the soil. The low production costs of organic fertilizers compared to chemical fertilizers provide an advantage to farmers and prevent foreign exchange loss. In this study, it is aimed to determine the animal existence and optimum facility locations for evaluation of animal wastes as compost in Samsun. For this purpose, the number of animals of the enterprises in the region was determined by using the data obtained from Samsun Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. The coordinates of the settlements of 1,284 enterprises with bovine capacity of 40 or more in Samsun were determined according to the rectangular coordinate system. In terms of animal distribution in Samsun province, 27 cluster numbers were preferred through Elbow method and f(K) Function method. The location of most suitable compost production centres according to the distance and the total number of animals was determined by the K-Means clustering analysis method using geographical coordinates. For Samsun, the group size was taken as 2,000-10,000 cattle and the enterprises with a focal length less than 15 km were included in the compost production clusters. In line with these criteria, 10 compost production clusters for compost production have been determined in Samsun and the locations of these cluster centres are shown on the map in a way that will provide the most efficient information to investors and relevant institutions.