Integrated Systems for Management and Utilization of Agriculture Wastes in Some MENA Regions

Abstract

Natural resources in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region base for agriculture are very fragile. Many countries in MENA region are suffering from a shortage of raw materials which are very necessary for agriculture activities, animal feed as well as industrial purposes. They are characterized by high population growth, erratic weather conditions, limited area of arable lands, with some of the biggest and harshest deserts and with acute water shortage at present. Water resources in many countries in the region are dwindling both in quantity and in quality as consequences of climate change. Exploitation of non-conventional resources such as agriculture wastes or residues for economic agricultural and industrial products is increasingly needed. Many countries in the region have realized, in the last decade, the advantages of agricultural residues (AGRs) on the economy, industry, and environment. Such renewable materials could be generated from the recycling of agriculture wastes or residues. Agricultural residues (AGRs) are the secondary product of agricultural activities such as vegetative parts left after harvesting vegetables, fruit tree pruning and wastes from food processing and agro-industries by-products. This chapter aims at casting lights on potential management and usages of common agriculture residues (wastes) in some countries in the MENA region. It focuses on identification of potential AGR and common utilization technologies. Constraints and strategies for management and utilization are also discussed. It is concluded that most of these residues are either burned in the field which has a negative impact on the environment or utilized in inefficient ways as a fuel, animal feeds, and composting. These agricultural residues when fully exploited would be expected to foster the development of small-scale agro-industries, create new job opportunities, and provide new arable lands. Most important is that the utilization of AGR to substitute forage crops for animal feed could save millions of hectares of lands that could be devoted for food production for human consumption, reduce the imports of wheat and other strategic crops. Thus reduce reliance on importation which improves food security, in addition to saving millions of dollars spent on importation of strategic materials. The AGRs are expected to play an important role in bridging the food gap in many countries in MENA region and improve the livelihood of the rural farmers. Some AGR technologies are developed and reached the implementation stage; others are at R&D and reached the pilot stage. Unfortunately, data are incomplete for some MENA region countries. There is a necessity to work out a strategy at both national and regional levels to foster the utilization of AGR and to encourage the collaboration of the leading countries for better utilization.