Date:         Tue, 4 Apr 2000 09:15:12 +0200
From:   Dr. Asifo Ajuyah [ajuyah_a@samoa.usp.ac.fj]
Subject:      material flows - C:N ratio

Hello Karki,
Greetings from Samoa. Your paper on Community Latrine-cum-biogas plant in Nepal is a demonstration of the practicality of an Integrated Biosystem in a community based situation. However, in-addition to the points raised by Jacky the following issues might require further clarifications:-

Theoretical concepts.
(a) Karki what do you think about the C:N ratio in human excreta as sole digester input?. I will presume that it would be too low to sustain the biodigester (C:N ratio of 15-30), in fact that is why in China rice straw is usually introduced into latrine based biodigester, similarly in Nepal it has been reported that latrine based biodigester in the Zoo is fed elephant dung.

Have a nice day.

 Asifo O. Ajuyah (Ph.D.)
 Senior Lecturer Pig and Poultry Production
 The University of the South Pacific
 School of Agriculture, Alafua Campus, Samoa
 Phone:- (685) 21671.   Fax:- (685) 22933
 Email:- ajuyah_a@samoa.usp.ac.fj
 USP Website Address:- http://www.usp.ac.fj