Saitama Prefecture Begins Sales of Circular Fertilizer Using Sewage Sludge Incineration Ash Fertilizer as Raw Material

Saitama Prefecture is selling sewage sludge incineration ash fertilizer, "Arakawa Kumamushi-kun No. 1," which was registered as a microbial phosphoric acid fertilizer in April 2024 as the first in municipalities nationwide, to fertilizer companies as a fertilizer raw material.

Now, a circular fertilizer, "Kumamushi-kun 888," produced by a fertilizer company using Arakawa Kumamushi-kun No. 1 as a raw material, has gone on sale.

Kumamushi-kun 888 can be purchased not only by farmers but also by the general public at each agricultural cooperative (JA) within the prefecture.

About the Fertilizer "Kumamushi-kun 888" Containing Sewage Sludge Incineration Ash Fertilizer

1. Overview of Kumamushi-kun 888

Kumamushi-kun 888 is a circular fertilizer that uses sewage sludge incineration ash fertilizer "Arakawa Kumamushi-kun No. 1" as part of its raw material.

Fertilizer Name: Kumamushi-kun 888

Producer: Asahi Agria Co., Ltd.

Guaranteed Components: Total Nitrogen 8%, Total Phosphate 8%, Total Potassium 8%

2. List of Agricultural Cooperatives in the Prefecture Where It is Sold

List of Agricultural Cooperatives in Saitama Prefecture (excluding specialized agricultural cooperatives)

https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/a0901/nokyo/nougyoukyoudoukumiaiichiran.html

3. Cultivation Test Results for Kumamushi-kun 888

To ensure the safe use of fertilizer using sewage sludge incineration ash fertilizer as a raw material, cultivation tests for Kumamushi-kun 888 were conducted in cooperation with the Prefectural Agricultural Technology Research Center and fertilizer companies.

The cultivation test results confirmed that the fertilizer effect and harmful components in the soil and crops, as stipulated by fertilizer regulations, are comparable to those of the control fertilizer*.

* A general fertilizer with the same fertilizer components as Kumamushi-kun 888.

Implementation Period: September 2024 - March 2026

Test Content: Continuous application test, 5 times in total

Crop: Spinach (Komatsuna only for the 4th crop due to summer implementation)

Cultivation Test Results

4. Contact Information

(1) Regarding the product Kumamushi-kun 888

Asahi Agria Co., Ltd. Inquiries Desk

Asahi Agria Co., Ltd. Business Strategy Department, Business Strategy Division

Phone: 03-3987-6179

(2) Regarding the sale of Kumamushi-kun 888

JA Zen-Noh Saitama Production Materials Department, Fertilizer and Pesticide Division

Phone: 048-583-5422

(3) Regarding cultivation tests

Saitama Prefectural Agricultural Technology Research Center, Environmental Safety Section

Phone: 048-536-0347

(4) Other inquiries (excluding (1)-(3))

Saitama Prefecture, Sewerage Bureau, Sewerage Business Division, Management and Operation Section

Phone: 048-830-5453

Reference

About Sewage Sludge Incineration Ash Fertilizer (Arakawa Kumamushi-kun No. 1)

Sewage sludge incineration ash contains a large amount of total phosphate, making it expected to be utilized as a fertilizer raw material.

For this reason, the Saitama Prefectural Sewerage Bureau registered sewage sludge incineration ash as a microbial phosphoric acid fertilizer in April 2024 and is working to utilize it as a fertilizer raw material.

Thorough quality control is implemented, including analyzing harmful components based on the Fertilizer Control Act for all lots and confirming compliance with standards before shipment.

Details of the Initiative

Saitama Prefecture Sewerage Business Division Website: Incineration Ash of Sewage Sludge into Fertilizer

Fertilizer Photos

Left: Arakawa Kumamushi-kun No. 1 (Sewage sludge incineration ash fertilizer) Right: Kumamushi-kun 888 (Fertilizer containing sewage sludge incineration ash fertilizer)

What is Microbial Phosphoric Acid Fertilizer?

Microbial phosphoric acid fertilizer is a new fertilizer standard established in October 2023 to promote the use of fertilizers made from domestic resources such as sewage sludge.

Fertilizer is produced under a quality control plan confirmed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, its fertilizer components are guaranteed, and it can be used by fertilizer companies as a raw material for fertilizer.

(Reference) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Website