NOVELTY - A fermentation processing method, where the organic material is processed in three stages at different temperatures inside a fermenter provided with three zones (A,B1,B2) from inlet to outlet (36), is new.    USE - For processing organic waste such as an organic refuse, livestock excrements, agricultural waste material, food-processing scum, foodstuff waste material and sludge, moisture content adjustment materials, such as wood chip, sawdust, chaff, etc., for producing soil improvement material or organic fertilizer.    ADVANTAGE - Improves fermentation efficiency by automating the process. Reduces labor cost and saves energy.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The organic material in fermented in three stages in three successive zones (A,B1,B2) in the fermenter. In the first zone (A), the organic material subjected to compost processing for several days, is mixed with the newly fed material and treated at medium or high temperature. The mixture is stirred and fed to the second zone (B1) little by little. The easily decomposable materials are actively decomposed in high temperature range in the second zone. In the third zone (B2), the moisture content is reduced and mixture is treated at medium temperature for slowly decomposing the decomposition resistant material. The water sprinkling amount, water sprinkling frequency, air permeability, gas flow temperature, etc. are individually controlled in each zone.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for fermentation processing apparatus. The apparatus consists of a tumbling barrel provided with a axially extended stirring blade assembly. The interior of the barrel is divided into three process zones by partition walls (37a,37b), so that the material overflows through the walls for transferring between successive processing zones. The moisture content meters (63a-63c) and thermocouples (64a-64c) are arranged in each zone. A control circuit uses the data from the sensors to control the air permeability, temperature and water sprinkling mechanism. A switch is provided for selective ON/OFF of the tumbling barrel.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows the transverse plane sectional view of fermentation processing apparatus.    Zones (A,B1,B2)    Outlet (36)    Partition walls (37a,37b)    Moisture content meters (63a-63c)    Thermocouples (64a-64c).