Gender-responsive approaches to scaling bioslurry solutions

Bioslurry, a by-product of anaerobic digestion, is a proven nutrient-rich organic fertiliser and soil conditioner with strong potential to improve agricultural productivity and food security for both smallholders and commercial farmers. When further processed into bioslurry-enriched compost (BEC), its benefits extend beyond crop yields to long-term soil health, resilience and ecosystem restoration. At the same time, biodigesters that produce bioslurry also generate biogas, a clean cooking fuel that reduces indoor air pollution and lessens the time and health burdens associated with collecting firewood, responsibilities that disproportionately fall on women.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, women play a central role in managing household food, energy and water, often cultivating smaller and more degraded plots with limited access to inputs such as fertiliser, finance and markets. Rising fertiliser prices and declining soil quality further constrain their productivity and incomes. Locally produced organic fertilisers like bioslurry and BEC offer a practical and affordable alternative that can help close this gap while strengthening circular, climate-smart food systems.

By supporting women’s participation in the production, use and trade of bioslurry and BEC, these solutions can improve farm outputs, create new income opportunities and advance cleaner energy access. This brief explores how a gender and social inclusion approach can enable women to benefit fully from these emerging value chains.

This brief was prepared by:

• ENERGIA, International Network on Gender and Sustainability

• Organic Fertiliser Valorisation Implementer(OFVI).

• SNV

• Hivos

Co-financed by

• Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• European Union

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

In partnership with

• EnDev

• Netherlands Enterprise Agency

Please contact:

Name: Saroj Rai, Global Technical Advisor – Biodigester Market Development 
Email: saroj.rai@snv.org