Ghana annually loses billions of cedis from agricultural waste. Over 40% of produce is lost after harvest. The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) champions a new approach. They advocate for green investments and new job creation. This aims to transform agro-waste into economic opportunities. This strategy also tackles environmental degradation and youth unemployment.
Professor Richard Amfo-Otu leads the call. He is the Education and Agro-Waste Lead for the Nkabom Collaborative at UESD. He urges policymakers and investors to prioritize modern agro-waste management systems. These systems can reduce post-harvest losses and protect the environment. They can also create thousands of sustainable jobs across the agricultural value chain. Professor Amfo-Otu states Ghana generates enormous volumes of agricultural waste yearly. This comes from crop production, food processing, and post-harvest activities. Much of this waste is burned or left to rot. These practices pollute the environment and waste valuable economic resources.
This ongoing waste contributes to Ghana's wider economic challenges. Post-harvest losses represent a significant drain on the agricultural sector. This sector is crucial for food security and livelihoods. Inadequate storage, poor transportation, and limited processing capacity contribute to these losses. The lack of modern post-harvest technologies also worsens the problem. This situation prevents Ghana from realizing its full agricultural potential. It also slows the adoption of sustainable development practices seen in other nations.
Professor Amfo-Otu made these remarks at a training workshop in Koforidua. The Nkabom Collaborative of UESD organized the two-day event. Fifty journalists attended from the Eastern region. He explained that many perceive waste as useless. He believes it is an untapped national asset that can drive industrial growth. It also holds potential for renewable energy production and climate resilience. Professor Amfo-Otu emphasized how agricultural residues can become valuable products. These include organic fertilizers, animal feed, biogas, and biodegradable packaging materials.
Adopting a circular economy model is crucial. This model recycles agricultural by-products back into production systems. This would minimize waste and increase farmers' incomes. It would also stimulate green industries across the country. Indiscriminate disposal and open burning of agricultural waste cause serious problems. They contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. They also lead to soil degradation and public health concerns. Professor Amfo-Otu calls for comprehensive national policies. These policies should encourage investment in agro-waste recycling industries. Incentives for waste-to-wealth entrepreneurs are also necessary. Stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, and the private sector is essential. This will establish integrated agro-processing and waste management centres.