Despite the millions of naira worth of waste generated yearly, the country faces challenge of properly harnessing them for economic benefit. From crop residues to unused palm kernel shells, coconut husks, and other by-products, there are so many agricultural wastes that could be explored to promote sustainable, eco-friendly environment, MOYOSORE SALAMI writes.
A growing trend in the world over is transforming agricultural waste long considered a nuisance into profitable and eco-friendly alternatives. From coconut shells to corn cobs and chicken intestines, these by-products are being repurposed into sustainable items such as spoons, plates and bowls by artisans and entrepreneurs while addressing environmental concerns.
Despite its promise, the agriculture waste recycling sector faces significant challenges in Nigeria. Infrastructure deficiencies, limited awareness, and insufficient government support are major obstacles.
In Nigeria, agricultural waste is not just an environmental issue but an economic one. The waste that is discarded or burned has a significant cost. The sector currently produces large amounts of biodegradable waste daily with up to 227500 tonnes of animal manure produced per day and up to 84Mt of useful crop residues produced per year. This offers huge potential for bioenergy generation in agricultural communities, especially at the rural level.
According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nigeria produces over 30 million tons of agricultural waste yearly, much of which are discarded or burned, contributing to environmental pollution.
The World Bank also states that Nigeria currently generates at least 32 million tonnes of solid waste yearly, and this number is projected to rise to 107 million tonnes by 2050.
However, only 30 per cent of the waste generated is efficiently collected and disposed of, mainly because two-thirds of urban households in low-income neighbourhoods lack formal waste management services, unlike middle-class and affluent neighbourhoods where waste is regularly collected.
A sustainability expert, Oluwafemi Bakare, said agriculture waste could help tackle plastic pollution by being converted into biodegradable alternatives like bioplastics.
“This reduces reliance on single-use plastics, promotes a circular economy, and creates economic opportunities. At Ecoflow, we’re committed to leveraging these innovations for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Recycling and repurposing agricultural waste reduce the carbon footprint by minimising methane emissions from waste decomposition, mitigating the need for synthetic materials, and creating sustainable alternatives like bioplastics. This process promotes resource efficiency and reduces the environmental impact of the agricultural sector.” He pointed out that in this part of the country; sustainability is more about the environment than economic. We are not at that stage of the pyramid yet.
“The cost difference between producing plastic items and those made from agricultural byproducts varies based on factors like scale, technology, and raw material availability. Traditional plastics are generally cheaper due to established infrastructure and economies of scale, costing around N1m–N3m per ton to produce. Agricultural byproduct-based alternatives, such as bioplastics, can cost 20-50 per cent more, ranging from N3m–N8m per ton, primarily due to higher production costs, newer technologies, and limited supply chains.” He explained that as demand for sustainable materials increases and production scales up, the cost of bioplastics made from agricultural byproducts will decrease.
“As the market for these alternatives grows, we expect the cost to drop significantly, making it a more viable option for manufacturers,” he said. This portends a very dire future for city residents in low-income areas, who are unable to manage the volume of waste they currently produce, resulting in a plethora of health and environmental challenges for these residents.
Burning agricultural waste contributes to air pollution and climate change, affecting both the environment and public health. However, beyond the negative impact, the lack of systems to recycle and repurpose these materials means that Nigeria is losing out on potential income. If converted into value-added products such as biofuels, biodegradable plastics, or even construction materials, these waste products could boost Nigeria’s economy and reduce dependence on imports.
Around the world, several countries have demonstrated how agricultural waste can be converted into valuable resources. In India, for example, rice husks are used to generate energy, while in the Philippines, coconut husks are transformed into biodegradable products.
These initiatives show a viable path for Nigeria, where local businesses and farmers could work in tandem to create markets for agricultural by-products. One such model can be seen in Lagos, where small-scale entrepreneurs have begun using coconut shells to produce eco-friendly plates and cups.
But on a larger scale, the process of converting agricultural waste into useful products remains underdeveloped, despite the vast potential. However, National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), Olugbenga Adebola, stated, “agricultural waste is not waste unless you waste it, right now, we are sitting on a goldmine of agricultural by-products that, if properly managed, could significantly contribute to our economy. We are wasting what could become energy, biodegradable materials, and raw materials for industries.”
Adebola emphasised that agricultural by-products such as maize and sorghum shafts, typically discarded after harvesting, are highly flammable and perfect for waste-to-energy facilities.
“These by-products can be used to generate electricity. If properly utilised, they could help power rural farms that struggle with electricity access. Take coconut shells, for example, they are often thrown away, but they can be transformed into cups, plates, and even ornamental items. Sugarcane bagasse, another often overlooked by-product, can replace single-use plastics. These materials are biodegradable, offering a solution to the plastic pollution problem.”
He added, “waste is a resource, but too many people don’t see it that way. We need to change this mindset and begin viewing waste as a raw material waiting to be transformed into something useful.
“Over 60 per cent of agricultural products like mangoes, tomatoes, and yams are wasted every year. Farmers lack proper storage facilities, and when produce floods the market, the prices drop. Farmers are forced to let their harvest rot, resulting in a massive financial loss, managing this surplus better and finding new uses for it could turn that waste into profit.”
Adebola said the solution is not just in better storage, but also exploring alternative uses for agricultural surplus.
“We can create biodegradable packaging and energy from agricultural waste. This would help reduce waste while generating income for farmers.
“Waste management is capital-intensive. Without strong government policies and support, we won’t make progress. The government needs to back waste-to-energy projects and promote the recycling of agricultural by-products.
“Education is also key. If we don’t educate farmers about the value of agricultural waste, change won’t happen. Farmers need to understand that agricultural waste is not just trash, it’s a revenue opportunity.
“Countries like China have developed small-scale waste management equipment tailored to their needs. Nigeria needs to follow suit by creating affordable, locally-built waste processing technologies. Supporting small businesses and technical schools is a great way to foster this innovation, ultimately, waste is a resource in the wrong hands; it’s time for Nigeria to stop wasting its waste and start turning it into wealth.”
However, recent innovations are harnessing this untapped resource, especially coconut. Coconut, a staple crop in Nigeria, generating significant waste in the form of shells.
Traditionally discarded, coconut shells are now being repurposed into high-value products such as bowls, spoons, and activated charcoal. Hand-carved coconut bowls sell for as much as $10 in global markets, with artisans earning an average of $1,500 monthly.
In addition to handicrafts, coconut shells fuel the activated charcoal industry, which is valued at over $4 billion, globally. Nigerian SMEs specialising in coconut shell processing are tapping into this market, contributing to sustainable commerce and reducing reliance on single-use plastics. A coconut crafter, Nathaniel Hodonu, who began his journey in 2006, saw an opportunity to turn coconut waste into a lucrative venture.
“When I started, I was buying broken coconut shells from people for about N1,000 to N2,000, but as I began to show them how valuable these shells could be, the price increased. People started holding onto the shells instead of throwing them away.
“Gathering coconut shells has now become a business for many people; and it’s reducing environmental pollution. Instead of throwing them away, coconut shell sellers now keep them in bags to sell to processors like me. Once I receive the shells, I cut, sand, and polish them into finished products like keyholders, bowls, cups, and intricate artwork. The economic benefits are enormous, from one coconut, I can make at least eight keyholders, and each one sells for N750. That’s N6,000 from just one coconut.”
He told The Guardian that his coconut shell art pieces, particularly, his intricate coconut portraiture, can fetch prices as high as N250,000, depending on the size. This far exceeds his previous monthly salary and has made coconut crafting a more profitable pursuit than traditional employment.
However, Hodonu pointed out several challenges faced by the industry. “The major challenge is power supply. I have to run generators 24/7, which is costly, especially with the rising price of diesel.”
He also mentioned that many young people are unwilling to engage in the labour-intensive process of crafting products from coconut shells, because they want to make quick money and avoid the hard work.
“More people are beginning to see the value in coconut waste; the use of coconut shells is reducing plastic consumption and helping to prevent environmental pollution. The trend of using agricultural waste, like coconut shells, is growing across the country. It’s not just in Lagos, other states are starting to catch on, too. But we need more people to get involved in turning this waste into wealth,” he said.
According to him, the repurposing of coconut waste offers numerous economic benefits, and could play a key role in reducing plastic consumption across the nation.
“The economic value of coconut shells is higher than the meat itself, the potential is huge, and it’s a sustainable solution that benefits both the environment and the economy.”
Hodonu added there are other companies that use coconut shells for products like mosquito coils, charcoal, and even buttons, emphasising that the trend of repurposing agricultural waste is gaining traction across Nigeria, with increasing interest from both artisans and consumers.
“The coconut shell is a versatile material; it can be used for art, functional items, and even for industrial purposes like charcoal production. It’s a perfect example of how waste can be turned into wealth.”
The General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, said repurposing agricultural waste such as coconut shells and corn cobs reduce plastic consumption and contribute to environmental sustainability.
He added that in the light of global warming concerns, there is a need for the country to explore innovative ways to convert agricultural waste into valuable products.
“We don’t have any other option as a country or as humanity. The climate crisis demands that we start creating wealth from waste, not just for economic growth but to make the environment more conducive for human life, we must start doing everything we can to reduce plastic consumption, and agricultural waste presents a promising opportunity.”
Olakunlehin explained that the coconut, in particular, is a ‘miracle plant’ whose various parts from the shell to the husk, to the leaves and even the tree itself can be used for a range of purposes. However, he noted that some of the processes needed to repurpose these materials, such as converting coconut husks into fiber for products like reusable sacks, require high-end technology that is not readily available at the state level.
“Coconut husk can be converted into fiber that can be used to make bags and sacks, which could significantly reduce our reliance on plastic. This is one of the best raw materials for creating reusable items, but the technology needed to produce fiber from coconut husks is not available at the state level.”
He added that while industrialists could potentially play a role in scaling up these technologies, there is also the challenge of ensuring a consistent supply of raw materials, as agricultural waste is often seasonal and not always available in sufficient quantities.
“To repurpose agricultural waste on a large scale, we need to ensure that raw materials are consistently available. Many by-products, including coconut husks, are seasonal, which makes it difficult to sustain industrial production year-round. We need to invest in ensuring that farmers have access to markets and storage, so they can supply these raw materials throughout the year.”
Despite these challenges, Olakunlehin pointed to the positive economic impact of utilising coconut shells in the arts and crafts sector, which has already created jobs and generated income for local communities. However, he stressed that to truly harness the potential of agricultural waste, greater investment in technology and infrastructure is needed.
“If we are serious about repurposing agricultural waste, we need to invest in the right technologies, infrastructure, and support for farmers. For example, the coconut shell is a great alternative to activated carbon or charcoal, and it could replace wood charcoal in many households and industries,” he said.
He explained that expanding coconut production and repurposing its waste for charcoal could help reduce the pressure on forests and reduce deforestation, as coconut shells provide an eco-friendly alternative to wood-based charcoal.
“If we can ramp up the production of coconut to meet the demand for charcoal or activated carbon, we can significantly reduce our reliance on wood charcoal and, in turn, help prevent deforestation. This could have a major impact on reducing environmental degradation and fighting climate change.
“The potential is enormous, not just for environmental protection but also for wealth creation, if we invest in this area, it can create jobs, improve productivity, and help address some of the most pressing challenges we face today, including climate change and plastic pollution,” he added.
