Anbar agricultural engineer turns plant waste into tons of organic fertilizer

ANBAR — Agricultural engineer Aya Qais is producing large quantities of organic fertilizer in Anbar, converting plant and animal waste into compost through a local project that she says applies scientific methods and avoids chemical materials.

Qais told 964media she collects plant waste from Ramadi Municipality and transports it to “Nabta” nursery, which she opened on Ceramic Street. She said the fertilizer is made from branches and leaves from tree pruning and grass cutting, with animal waste added through controlled stages that end with fermentation.

She said production begins with collecting plant waste and shredding it using a simple machine. The material is then spread on a sheet of nylon and covered with a layer of animal waste, with the process repeated in multiple layers.

Fermentation follows and varies by season, Qais said, lasting about 90 days in winter and about 50 days in summer. After that period, the fertilizer is ready for packaging and distribution and can be used to fertilize a wide range of plants and trees.

Qais, 27, holds a master’s degree in agricultural engineering for 2025 from the University of Anbar’s College of Agriculture.

She said the Nabta nursery supplies ornamental plants including gardenia and damask rose, as well as citrus trees, carissa, night-blooming jasmine and camellia. The nursery also offers rare shade plants, home garden design and landscaping services.

“I started from zero,” Qais said on Dec. 22, 2025. She said she pursued workshops and training in agriculture, sustainable development and climate change, alongside support from international organizations.

She said she later received support from Anbar Governorate Council Chairman Omar Mishaan, who provided a plot of land to help launch the project and develop it step by step.

Speaking to 964media, Qais encouraged women in Anbar to pursue opportunities even in fields with limited employment prospects, including agricultural engineering.