The Ballestas Island in Peru, like the other 21 islands along the Peruvian coast, is home to nearly 4 million migratory birds such as guanays, boobies and pelicans. These birds’ nest on the island, located south of Lima, and their excreta make up for the world’s finest natural fertilizer.
The bird dung, also known as guano, reached its greatest economic importance in the 19th century as a coveted resource being exported to the United States, England and France, reports Reuters. According to the Rural Agrarian Productive Development Program (Agrorural) reports, the current guano production in Peruvian island is about 20 thousand tons per year. Peru hopes to benefit mostly small farmers by boosting organic agriculture through these natural fertilizers.
Workers scrap stones to collect bird dung on the Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 8, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Workers process bird dung on the Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 8, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Workers collect bird dung on the Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 8, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Workers scrape stones to collect bird dung on the Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 9, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
A worker throws bird dung to be processed on Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 9, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
A worker walks among bags full of bird dung on Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 10, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
A worker (C) walks in front of Guanay Cormorant birds on Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 9, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Workers run as they carry bags of bird dung on Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 9, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Workers collect bird dung on a field in Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 8, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Thousands of Guanay Cormorant birds fly over and nest on the Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 10, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Boobies nest on the Ballestas island, south of Lima, October 9, 2011. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
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