POTENTIAL AND MANAGEMENT OF AGROWASTES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA

Nigeria is an agrarian society with various crops and animals, leading to the production of enormous wastes from agriculture known as agro-wastes. This paper examined the types and amount of agro-waste generated and the effects of agricultural by-products on man, the environment, and soil health, as well as the various management practices targeted at improving soil health and crop yield. The country produces agro-wastes based on geographical locations, and the management practices are different from one location to the other. The outstanding waste management practices include farmers’ simulation methods and integrated plant nutrition management, which involves the combined use of various agro-wastes and mineral fertilizers, compost making, farm yard manure, dumping of refuse inside gutters or streams, and burying of agro-wastes. Among all the agro-waste management strategies identified, controlled burning of the agro-wastes, the use of organomineral fertilizers and manufactured organic fertilizers or bio fertilizers, and compost making, as means of reducing agro-waste's negative effects on humans, water bodies, and the environment, are recommended.