URBAN AGRICULTURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DELTA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess urban agricultural waste management (WM) practices for sustainable development in Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified  the  types of wastes generated  from urban agricultural activities,  methods of Reduce, Re-use  and Recycle (3R’s) wastes generated  from urban agricultural  activities,  constraints  to  WM practices  and measures  for  enhancing  WM  practices  in  Delta  State.  Six  research  questions  and  six  null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 1,306 made up of 43 registered agricultural  product  marketers,  127  staff  of  Waste  Management  Board  (WMB)  and  1,136 registered urban farmers all from Delta State, Nigeria. The sample for the study was 334 made up of 43 registered agricultural product marketers, 64 staff of WMB and 227 registered urban farmers all from Delta State. The entire population of marketers was studied while proportionate random sampling technique  was used to select 50% of staff of WMB and 20% of farmers. A structured  questionnaire  developed  using  information  from  the  literature  reviewed  by  the researcher was utilized to collect data from the respondents. Each item in sections A-F of the questionnaire was assigned a four response options of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD) with values of 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. The questionnaire was face validated  by three experts;  two from the Department of  Agricultural  and Bio-resources Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and one from the Operations Department, Delta State WMB,  Asaba. The internal  consistency  of the items  was  established  using  Cronbach  Alpha method, which yielded a coefficient of 0.77. Six  research  assistants helped to administer the questionnaire to the three groups of respondents. Data collected were analysed using mean to answer the research questions while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the six null hypotheses at the probability level of 0.05. The study found out that; urban agricultural activities in Delta State generate a range of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. 35 items were identified as methods to reduce, re-use and recycle agricultural wastes. 15 items were identified as constraints to WM practices. The six hypotheses tested revealed significant difference hence; post-hoc  test  was  carried  out  to  detect  the  source  of  the  differences  which  revealed  the professional  roles of two  groups  of  the  respondents  affected  their  opinion  on  the areas of difference. It was recommended that farmers, agricultural product marketers and environmental authorities in urban areas should adopt 3R’s WM practices, applying the 21 measures identified for enhancing these practices for sustainable development in Delta State.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION Background of the Study

Increase  in urbanization,  industrialization  and economic  development  significantly contributes to high concentration of people in urban areas of the world. Urban area according to  Zamboutta  (2008)  refers  to  a settlement  with  an  increased  density  of  human-created

structures  in  comparison  to  the  areas  surrounding  it.  Urban  areas  are  cities,  towns  or conurbations  with various  economic  activities,  provision  of basic  facilities,  services,  and physical development (Harvey, 2010).The United States Census Bureau  (2010) defined an urban area as a core census block that have a population density of at least 1,000 people per

square mile (386 km2) and surrounding census blocks that have an overall density of at least

50,000 people per square mile (19.3 km2). In this study, urban area refers to a location that has  high  population  density  with  associated  structures.  This  population  engage  different economic activities including urban agriculture.

Urban agriculture can be defined as the production, processing and marketing of food within cities, for home consumption or for industries (Hovorka, Zeeuw & Njenga, 2009). The Food and Agricultural Organization-Committee  on Agriculture  (FAO-COAG, 2009) stated that urban agriculture  are farming practices within and  around cities which compete with human for resources (land, water, energy and  labour) for production. In the context of this study,  urban  agriculture  is  a  process  and  system  of  food  production,  marketing  and distribution  for  the  satisfaction  and  sustenance  of  the  urban  populace  and  beyond.  The benefits  of  urban  agriculture   include   poverty  alleviation,   food   security  (availability, accessibility and affordability), social and economic development.

Urban agriculture provides a complementary strategy to reducing urban poverty and food  insecurity  (Wendell,   2012).   Progressive   urban  agriculture   can  result   in   social,

efits aidin o Zeeu

environmental, spatial and economic ben                g the accomplishment of the Millennium

1

Development  Goals (MDG). According t           w (2010) the benefits derived from  urban agriculture is capable of achieving the MDG objective one (eradicate extreme  poverty and hunger)  and  objective  seven  (ensure  environmental   sustainability).   In   addition,  urban agriculture has a clear link with relevant policies of an urban area such as land use, public health, socio-economic development and food security. Similarly, Taylor (2010) reported that

urban agriculture is a food system component, suitable for tackling food insecurity and assist to reach healthy habits and nutritional standards among citizens. A broad understanding of urban agriculture  must take into account the various activities  involving  food security in cities to meet further needs of the urban population like sustainable urban development and environmental   protection   (FAO,   2004).   Involvement   in   urban   agriculture   and   the consumption of agricultural products by the teeming population in urban areas creates a lot of wastes.

Waste is referred to as rubbish and worthless materials collected from houses, offices, farms  and  industries  which  are  meant  for  disposal  (Osinem,  2005).  Udechukwu  (2009) defined  waste as any useless,  unwanted  and discarded  material.  According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010) waste is any garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater  treatment  plant,  or air pollution  control  facility and other  discarded  material, including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained  gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities. Similarly, the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD, 2014) described waste as any material that is not a prime product,  for  which the generator  has no further  use in terms of his/her own purposes  of  production,  transformation  or  consumption,  and  of  which  he/she  wants  to dispose. Waste can be defined as any unwanted material generated during the extraction and processing of raw materials into intermediate and final product; the consumption  of  final products and other human activities including urban agriculture.

Agricultural  wastes  are  natural  and  non-natural  by-products  produced  by  farmers through various farming activities (Ashworth, Geoffrey & Pablo, 2009). These activities or operations  may  include  dairy  farming,  horticulture,  livestock  breeding,  market,  gardens, nursery   plots   and   woodlands   management   (Onu   &  Obi,   2016).   According   to   the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC, 2006), agricultural wastes

are  unwanted  materials  produced  as  a  result  of  various  activities  within  a  farm  or  an agribusiness premises. In the context of this study agricultural wastes are discarded materials from the process of production,  marketing and distribution of farm products.  Agricultural wastes are made up of different forms and compositions.

Compositions of agricultural wastes includes; manure and residual materials in liquid or solid form, generated  from the production  and marketing  of poultry,  livestock or fur- bearing  animals  as  well  as  grain,  vegetable  and  fruit  harvest   residue  (United  States Environmental Protection Agency, USEPA, 2007). The agricultural sector produces a range of natural (organic) and non-natural (inorganic) wastes. Olu (2013) reported that agricultural wastes can be divided into biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials. According to the author  agricultural  biodegradable  wastes  include;  sewage  sludge,  slaughter  house  waste, animal dung, green waste, dead animal and meat decay while non-biodegradable wastes are associated  with the inputs  to  farming such as packaging plastic films, veterinary remains, machinery  and  building  waste.  These  wastes  materials  are  potential  resources  for  other purposes.

Agricultural  waste  can  be  put  to  further  use,  according  to  Davidson  (2011)  as potential  resource  since  they  have  relative  value  like,  providing  manure  as  fertilizers, improving  the  water  holding  capacity  of  the  soil,  land  filling,  reduction  of  well  water contamination and minimizing of surface water pollution among others. The general methods of managing agricultural wastes among farmers in Nigeria according to Ogwueleka (2009) are on-farm incineration without energy recovery, on-farm composting, on-farm landfill and the use of open dump site. Open dump is the  earliest and the commonest mode of waste management among Nigerians (Olu, 2013). However, this method of waste management is discouraged  in view  of the problems  associated  with  its practice  such  as  environmental degradation and atmospheric pollution (Ogunwisi, 2014). Ojekunle (2011) observed that the

inability to manage waste from agricultural operations is a major challenge to urban farmers and the society at large. In line with the aforementioned, one of the most important challenges faced by urban agriculture is waste management.

Waste management refers to the activities of dealing with unwanted materials before and after it is generated, including its minimization, transfer, storage, separation,  recovery, recycling  and final disposal (Encarta,  2009). It also includes  all  administrative,  financial, legal  and  planning  functions  as  well  as  the  physical  aspects  of  waste  handling.  Waste management according to Uchegbu in Osinem, (2005) is a planned system of controlling the production,  storage,  collection,  transportation,  processing  and  disposal  or  utilization  of garbage in a sanitary,  aesthetically friendly, acceptable and economical manner. Managing waste concerns the  interplay of generation, storage, collection and final disposal of wastes (Omuta in Uwadiegwu & Chukwu, 2013). In the context of this study, waste management is referred to as a well-articulated method of harmonizing, sanitizing and controlling discarded materials generated from urban agriculture in order to ensure safe and healthy environment in the  society.  There  are  different  waste  management  practices  which  are  minimization, separation, recycling and final disposal.

Waste  management  practices  are  of  diverse  form  therefore  procedures  also  vary accordingly  to ensure  that these practices  can be successfully  accomplished  (Ogwueleka,

2009). Hall, Guo and Chow (2009) noted that waste management practices are varied among countries  (developed  and developing nations);  regions (urban and rural area),  and sectors (residential and industrial).  Waste management  practice according to  Scharfe (2010) must remain flexible  in light of changing economic,  environmental  and social conditions.  This implies  that waste  management  practices  are dynamic  and  differs  among  establishments. Hence  the  need  for  an  incorporated  approach  to  manage  wastes  generated  from  the agricultural sector.

Integrated Waste Management (IW M) practice has emerged as a holistic approach to managing  agricultural  waste  (USEPA,  2010).    Allwood,  Ashby,  Gutowski  and  Worrell (2010) reported that the IWM practice involves the Reduction, Re-use and Recycling (3R’s) of agricultural wastes. According to the authors, this practice is adopted in North America, United   Kingdom,   European  countries  and   Asia.   The  concept  of  waste  reduction  or minimization  involves redesigning  products  or changing societal patterns of consumption, use, and waste generation to prevent the creation of waste and minimize the inherent toxicity. It is sometimes  possible  to use by-products  from agricultural activities  for other purpose; hence the term re-use. Recycling products offer many benefits of waste reduction efforts but recycling requires energy and the inputs of new materials, thus placing it lower on the waste management hierarchy than reduction and reuse (Davis, 2008 & USEPA, 2010). The IWM practice seeks to incorporate the 3R’s in most developing nations like Nigeria for effective agricultural waste management.

There  are  two  major  approaches  to  waste  management  in Nigeria  which  include private and public systems (Uwadiegwu & Chukwu, 2013). The authors explained that the private system is a contractual arrangement between an individual and group of persons who undertake waste disposal as a business venture. This system is common among the high and medium income  households  who can afford the charge  of  hiring a vendor to pay for the disposal of waste generated by the household. The public system is more conventional. It is the defunct  Federal Environmental  Protection  Agency (FEPA)  of 1986  later upgraded  to Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) in 1999; charged with the responsibility of public waste management in Nigeria. This is complimented by section 1, (24) of FEPA Decree No.8 (1988) empowering  both Local  and State Governments  to set up their own environmental protection  agencies  (Osinem,  2005).  It  is  expected  that  the  FME  be  more  effective  in monitoring  and  possibly  controlling  industrial  pollution,  environmental  degradation  and

occupational hazard in the country, specifically with the trend of waste generation from the agricultural  sector.  The  need  to  promote  urban  agricultural  waste  management  is  being influenced by increasing agricultural production in urban areas and productivity globally, as adequate waste management enhance sustainable development.

Sustainable  development  entails  growth  that  is  environmentally  sound  to  reduce poverty and build shared prosperity for today’s population and continue to meet the needs of future  generations  (World  Bank,  2010).  Sustainable  development  could  also  refer  to  the economic growth that does not deplete resources and ecosystem (Kayoma & Oharisi, 2013). It ensures that socio-economic development programmes endorsed by nations is devoid of unbridled exploitation and depletion of non renewable resources, unmitigated degradation of the environment  and impaired  quality of life  for  large section  of the population  (Oni in Joseph & Utin, 2013). The key principle of sustainable development underlying all others is the integration of economic, social and  environmental concerns into all aspects of decision making in the society. Some of the economic objectives of sustainable development include growth,   efficiency  and   stability.   The  social  objectives   include,   amongst   others,  full employment, security, education and health while environmental objectives include rational use  of  renewable  and  conservation  of  non-renewable  natural  resources.  Stoddart  (2011) averred  that  sustainable  development  requires  the  integration  of  economic,  social  and environmental objectives across sectors and territories throughout decision making processes in order to move towards a process of change while maintaining ecological balance.  In this study,  sustainable  development  refers  to  improvement  in agricultural  waste  management through reduce, reuse or recycle for healthy living of the present and  future generations in Delta State.

Delta, a State in Niger-Delta region of Nigeria has 12 major urban centres, but Asaba and Warri are the largest commercial cities and the most populated of the urban centres in the

State (Egun, 2009).  According to Ogboi and Kperegbeyi (2010) majority of the people in the urban areas of the State are engaged in urban agriculture and agri-businesses while a few are in civil service. Tibi and Aphunu (2010) stated that urban agricultural activities in Delta State have  been  on  the  increase  in  recent  times,  adopting  different  strategies  in  backyard, containers and any available undeveloped and empty lands due to rapid urbanization in the area. The Delta Beyond Oil (DBO) programme launched by the State Government in 2008; aimed at diversifying the economy of the State beyond oil with special focus in agriculture. Agricultural  activities  arising  from  the  interaction  of  agro-entrepreneurs,  marketers  and people in form of buying and selling generates a  lot of agricultural wastes, which actively pollute  the  environment  (Adeoti  &  Obidi,  2015).  The  draft  policy  on  Municipal  and Agricultural  Wastes (MAW)  Management  reviewed  in August,  2012 in Nigeria aimed at developing   an   integrated,   coordinated,   environmentally   sound,   efficient,   safe,   and economically   sustainable   MAW   management   system,   with   specific   provisions   for unintentional persistent organic pollutants emissions reduction. However, this policy has not been developed  into  a comprehensive  legislation to address the issue of agricultural waste management in the country. Ogbe (2014) reported that, an appreciable effort was made by Delta   State   government   by  establishing   the   Delta   State   Waste   Management   Board (DELSWMB)  in 2004. The DELSWMB  is saddled with the responsibility of  supervising, collection,  transport,  processing,  recycling  or  disposal  and  monitoring  waste  materials. Currently,  metal  scraps,  aluminium,  glass  materials  and  bottles  are  the  waste  materials collected for recycling in the State by poor individuals who sell them to the glass and steel company.  According  to  Egun  (2012)  many  other  waste   materials  including  those  of agriculture  are neglected.  The author retorted  that  agricultural  wastes,  clothing materials, drinking cans, plastics and rubber products are left unmanaged. An attempt to manage these wastes  has  overwhelmed  the  State  government.  Hence,  the  common  methods  of  waste

disposal generally practiced in the State is open dumping system, as it is common to observe heaps of waste in the major cities and streets. The street gutters and roads are found littered with wastes while other wastes are dumped indiscriminately in vacant plots and open spaces (Adeoti & Obidi, 2015).

Dumping  of wastes in open spaces is unhealthy and deteriorates  the  environment over time. Sangodoyin, in Amori, Fatile, Ihuoma, and Omoregbee (2013) stated that dumping of wastes in open spaces serves as breeding place for flies, insects and rodents. The author further  explained  that,  flies  are  capable  of  transmitting  diseases  such  as  dysentery  and diarrhea through contact with food and water. Also the movement of rats and lizards from vicinity  of  refuse  to  neighbouring  households  could  be  linked  with  diseases  such  as Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis and Lassa fever.  In spite of the consequences associated with improper  disposal of wastes,  Ogbe  (2014)  reported  that farmers and agricultural  product marketers in the State still think that waste can be thrown around or dumped anywhere as it is convenient. However, farmers and agricultural product marketers in urban areas of the State seem to be  willing to adopt better waste management  practices to maintain  a favourable business environment to attract customers but there is dearth of information in literature on better  waste  management  practices  to  be  utilized  by  agro-entrepreneurs   in  the  State. Therefore,   this  study  assessed   urban  agricultural   waste  management   practices   for   a sustainable development in Delta State.

Statement of the Problem

Rapid  urbanization  in  Delta  State  has  prompted  the  rise  of  urban  agricultural businesses for the efficient and effective supply of food and raw materials to industries and the ever increasing urban populace. Understanding the current trend of waste management, especially  agricultural  waste  management  could  help  in  making  viable  contribution  to successful implementation of the policy on Municipal and Agricultural Waste Management

reviewed in 2012 which target protection of urban environment. The increasing concentration of agricultural businesses results to more products and by-products,  leading to agricultural wastes and environmental problems if not properly managed. It seems that despite the impact of urban agriculture to sustainable development in the society, the inability to manage waste from agricultural operations is a major challenge to urban agro-entrepreneurs, marketers and the society at large. The consequences of improper and non-effective waste disposal, is that urban  agricultural  waste  management  in  Delta  State  encounter  more  setbacks  and  the environmental  situation  continue  to  deteriorate  and  worsen  leading  to  unhealthy  smells, reduction  of  aesthetic  nature of the State, ill health cases due to spread of diseases  from refuse  dumps and the endangerment  of the environment  in future. Therefore, the study is conceived  to  assess  urban  agricultural  waste  management  practices  for  a   sustainable development in Delta State.

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study was to assess urban agricultural waste management practices for a sustainable development in Delta State. Specifically, the study sought to find out the:

1.   types of wastes generated from urban agricultural activities in Delta State;

2.   methods   of  reducing   wastes   generated   from   urban  agricultural   activities   for sustainable development in Delta State;

3.   methods  adopted  to re-use wastes  generated  from urban agricultural  activities  for sustainable development in Delta State;

4.   recycling  methods  for wastes generated  from urban agricultural  activities  in  Delta

State;

5.   constraints to waste management practices of urban agriculture in Delta State; and

6.   Measures  for  enhancing  waste  management  practices  of  urban  agriculture   for sustainable development in Delta State.

Significance of the Study

This study has both theoretical and practical significance.  Theoretically,  this  study will validate and lay credence to zero waste theory and adoption and diffusion theory which were useful in waste management approaches. The Zero Waste Theory is concerned with the reduction of waste generated in a given area. The theory explains that cities are very dynamic in nature and combine different  complex spheres;  cities in one  region are different  from others due to geographical and environmental factors which invariably influence the types of waste generated and necessitated the need for proper urban agricultural waste management for  sustainable  development.  Moreover,  The  Adoption  and  Diffusion  Theory  states  that potential adopters of a technology progress over time through awareness, interest, evaluation, trial and adoption in the diffusion process. Therefore, agro-entrepreneurs and environmental authorities must be acquainted with the new technology for agricultural waste management for adoption. The application of both theories could enhance and foster effective and efficient waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in Delta State, Nigeria.

Practically,  this  study  is  of  benefit  to  farmers,  agricultural  product   marketers, environmental authorities, extension agents, government, private sectors, the general public and future researchers.The  study provided information to farmers and  agricultural product marketers on the various methods of waste management (reduce, re-use and recycle). Farmers and agricultural product marketers could utilize the information to manage wastes generated from urban agricultural activities to ensure a sustainable environment.

The   study   further   provided   information   that   could   be   useful   in   equipping environmental  authorities  and  extension  agents  with  knowledge  on  strategic  and  well- articulated urban agricultural waste management approach. Through this, rural areas may as

well  be  equipped  with  emerging  trend  on  agricultural  waste  management  for  effective productivity   and   improvements   in   environmental   conditions   to   ensure   sustainable development.

The study also provided information to Federal, State and Local Governments on the constraints and solutions to urban agricultural waste management.  The Government  could utilize the information in solving the general problem of waste management in the country thus actualizing a sustainable Municipal and Agricultural waste management policy.

The study further provided information to private sectors on available enterprises in, reducing, re-use and recycling waste management  practices (such as recycling  banks)  for investment.  The  private  sectors  could  utilize  the information  to  provide  skill acquisition centres with empowerment programme for farmers, youth and interested individuals on waste management practices. The youth and other interested individuals that avail themselves the opportunity  could  then  have  enhanced  job  opportunities  in  private  waste  management business, thereby reducing unemployment for the teeming population in urban areas of the State.

Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study:

1.   What are the types of wastes generated  from urban agricultural activities in  Delta

State?

2.   What are the methods of reducing wastes generated from urban agricultural activities for sustainable development in Delta State?

3.   What  methods  are  adopted  to  re-use  wastes  generated  from  urban  agricultural activities for sustainable development in Delta State?

4.   What  are  the  recycling  methods  for  wastes  generated  from  urban  agricultural activities in Delta State?

5.   What are the constraints to waste management practices of urban agriculture in Delta

State?

6.   What   are  the  measures   for  enhancing   waste   management   practices   of   urban agriculture for sustainable development in Delta State?

Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated and tested at the probability of 0.05. HO1:  There is no significant difference in the mean ratings of farmers, marketers and staff

of Waste Management Board (WMB) on the types of wastes generated from urban

agricultural activities in Delta State.

HO2:  There is no significant difference in the mean ratings of farmers, marketers and staff of  WMB  on  the  methods  of  reducing  wastes  generated  from  urban  agricultural activities for sustainable development in Delta State.

HO3:  There is no significant difference in the mean ratings of farmers, marketers and staff of WMB on the methods adopted to re-use wastes generated from urban agricultural activities for sustainable development in Delta State.

HO4:  There is no significant difference in the mean ratings of farmers, marketers and staff of  WMB  on the  recycling  methods  for wastes  generated  from  urban  agricultural activities in Delta State.

HO5:  There is no significant difference in the mean ratings of farmers, marketers and staff of WMB on the constraints to waste management practices of urban  agriculture in Delta State.

HO6:   There  is no significant  difference  in the mean ratings of farmers,  marketers  and staff of WMB on the measures for enhancing waste management practices of urban agriculture for sustainable development in Delta State.

Scope of the Study

The study focused on urban agricultural waste management practices for sustainable development  in Delta State, Nigeria.  Specifically,  the study assessed  the  types of wastes generated  from  urban agricultural  activities,  methods  of reducing,  re-using and recycling agricultural  wastes  in  addition  to  constraints  to  waste  management  practices  of  urban agriculture,  as well as the measures  for enhancing  waste  management  practices  of urban agriculture, for sustainable development in Delta State. The study was restricted to comparing responses from farmers, agricultural product marketers and staff of waste management board in 3 urban towns in the study area namely Agbor, Oleh and Sapele.

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