Bioproduction Systems and their Environmental Implications
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Date
2006
Authors
Shitanda, D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
School of Environmental Studies and Human Sciences,
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Bioproduction is a new term that has been coined to refer mainly to the
agricultural processing and animal/ fish production systems of the
agricultural industry. These two sectors are very critical for many African
countries, which depend heavily on agriculture for their daily livelihood and
foreign exchange earnings. Although Africa has few agro-based industries, the
rapid growth in population places a high demand on the same. This in turn brings
in the aspect of environmental degradation, through the potentially high levels
of waste production. For purposes of this book, a waste is any material discarded
by society because it has fulfilled its useful purpose and is no longer wanted or
cannot be utilized. It is a superfluous material with little or no worth that results
from production processes. As such, a waste is a pollutant.
Someof the main agro-based industries in the Eastern region of Africa that have
significant effect on the environment include the coffee, tea, sugar, lumber, paper,
sisal,and tanning industry. However, it is also common to see much agricultural
produce especially fruit go to waste in many agro-ecosystems in different parts of
Africa. Mangoes, paw paws, bananas, cabbages, milk, cassava and potatoes fall
in this category. Processing of such produce is likely to emerge as a perfect
initiative towards food security and job creation in rural areas. This will in no
doubt be accompanied with increasing volumes of wastes and hence higher risks
of environmental degradation.
Africa has the highest number of animals especially cattle and goats. Animal
production is done mainly using the traditional systems where the animals are
fed in open fields with minimal control and consideration of the environment.
However, as land continues to become scarce, the need for more intensive animal
production systems is unavoidable. Already most peri-urban residences are
characterised by zero-grazing units in cities like Nairobi, Kampala and Oar salaam.
Such intensive modern systems optimise production but their impact on the
environment is enormous due to high concentration of wastes, use of chemicals
and modern equipments. The aim of this chapter is therefore to highlight some of
the critical concerns within the bioproduction industry that correlate highly with
the environmental issues in the East African region
Description
Book Chapter