Expert tasks Nigerians on agric wastes
Professor of Animal Nutrition, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, Dr Gbolagunte Sunday Ojewola, has described the volume of wastes generated from agriculture activities, as an area of sustainable agricultural investment and an easy tool for providing employment for Nigerians.
Ojewola, who stated this during the 25th inaugural lecture of the university, said agriculture is still the major supplier of food to human kind and mainstay of the nation’s economy, but its wastes have for long, been neglected, especially livestock wastes, “which is an easy tool for procuring employment and a major way of preserving generations of wealthy and healthy Nigerians when properly put to good use.”
He referred to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) report (1972) and Khoshoo of 1986, saying the real danger from poor waste disposal lies in the future, which he said “may be that the generation of wastes may have long since gone, before the problem begins.”
According to him, many of the environmental incidents that are causing concern now are legacies of the past, caused by the generation that is no longer active in the work force.
He pointed out that it is now the responsibility of all to develop, police and maintain safe waste disposal system, and not leave behind a lethal inheritance.
Consequently, he recommended that efforts should be made to identify the identity, exact quantities, nature and disposal of agro wastes that are being generated from major and minor agricultural activities all over the country.
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1 Comments
Nigeria hasn’t begun to really deal with waste. There is huge investment and revenue generation from proper management of all manner of waste. organic waste could be composited to create manure that would help farmers or help recover damaged land. other waste could also be used to generate electricity or be recycled.
We will review and take appropriate action.