As a first joint activity of the new project “Research and capacity building for inter-setorial private sector involvement for soil rehabilitation“ research partners from the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University Bonn, Soil Science & Soil Ecology, Bochum University (both Germany), Department of Plantation Management, Wayamba University (Sri Lanka), Judge Business School, Cambridge University (UK) and IWMI met to elaborate research objectives, envisioned outcomes, activities and other project-related details on March 21 and 22 in Bonn.
The workshop followed pre-meetings at the Judge Business School on March 16, and the Bochum University on March 18.
To goal of the new project is to develop curricula for innovative technologies and investment models that transfer organic waste into organic fertilizer for different soils, crops and climates in South Asia. Targeted outputs are (i) technical guidelines for public and private sector on producing safe fecal sludge-based fertilizer pellets; (ii) verification of the local soil-crop responses to different pellet qualities and quantities; (iii) an analysis of the investment climate for RRR options in selected countries in South Asia, and (iv) the development of curricula for students and practitioners interested in waste valorization business models and their enabling conditions.
In Bonn, the main workshop was hosted by Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun (ZEF) and joined by Prof. Dr. Bernd Marschner and Dr. Volker Haering (Bochum), Felix Grau (Bochum/Osnabrueck), Drs. Nicolas Gerber and Alisher Mirzabaev (ZEF), Prof. Dr. W.J.S.K. Weerakkody (Wayamba), Dr. Luca di Mario (Cambridge), Drs. Solomie Gebrezgabher and Johannes Paul (IWMI). The pre-meeting in Cambridge was attended by Prof. Dr. Jaideep Prabhu (inserted photo), Luca di Mario, Johannes Paul and staff from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). The visit to Bochum University and its soil laboratory was attended by Bernd Marschner, Volker Haering, Felix Grau and Johannes Paul.
The 3 year project is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
