From the Ocean to the Farm: Innovative women turn fishing waste into organic fertilizers

In the district of Los Órganos, in the province of Talara, the eight-member Association of Women Producers of Biofertilizers are transforming fish waste into fertilizer, finding an alternative to addressing the shortage of organic fertilizers and an excellent business opportunity that benefits their families.

"Challwamino" comes from the combination of two words: Challwa, which means fish in Quechua, and Mino, which refers to amino acids. This sustainable biofertilizer naturally enriches soils, contributing to organic farming and the empowerment of women producers in the region. Thanks to its components, it is used in various crops in the Piura region, such as rice, bananas, mangoes, lemons, and others. Many of the women who make up this association have primary jobs and have identified their entrepreneurship as an alternative source of income for their families. Despite time constraints, especially for those who are single mothers, they continue to strive to grow their businesses and generate new opportunities.

The production process begins very early at the Artisanal Fishing Landing Site in Los Órganos, where they scour the pier in search of a resource that many would consider waste. With expert hands, they select and collect the remains that might normally end up in the sea or in the community.

Once the raw materials are gathered, they transport them to their production plant, where the real work begins. There, with patience and dedication, they grind the fish waste and pour it into large buckets. The mixture comes to life when they add the essential ingredients that ferment and enrich the product, transforming it into a powerful biofertilizer. “Depending on the type of fish, between 50 and 70% of the total weight is considered waste (scales, skin, head, offal, bones, or spines). Therefore, the development of initiatives like Challwamino is valuable, providing added value to this waste and bringing benefits not only to agriculture but also to the women and their families involved in this endeavor. At WWF, we want to support the strengthening of eco-businesses like this one, which represent a solution to problems like pollution with a circular economy approach,” said Julia Maturrano, Clean Oceans Officer.

They were recently recognized as winners in the first edition of the “Entrepreneurs for Nature” competition by the Grau Tropical Sea National Reserve. They applied with the aim of strengthening their business, which contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources in the area. This achievement will allow them to further their initiative and continue promoting sustainable practices that benefit the ecosystem and the local community.

Supporting initiatives like this not only offers a sustainable alternative to improve the household budget, but also promotes women's empowerment and the responsible use of marine resources. Through training, access to markets, and the development of communication tools for the sale of their products, these initiatives allow coastal communities to generate income sustainably, while ensuring the conservation of marine ecosystems for future generations.

For more information about Challwamino, visit their social media channels at the following link: https://linkfly.to/60727kM6bUk

This initiative was made possible thanks to the support of Airbnb as part of the "360° Coastal Communities" project, which was implemented between 2023 and 2025. The project aims to strengthen communities in waste management and recycling while generating opportunities for them.