Agricultural Solid Waste and its Management: An Overview

Waste is one of the most pressing issues of the present time. Its effects seem so drastic that concerns about its proper management are raising questions around the globe. The major areas of developing and underdeveloped countries are used for agriculture and allied activities. Most of the waste generated in a country comprises agricultural wastes, most of which are solid. There is an urgent need to manage this agricultural waste to avoid environmental degradation and mitigate its ill effects on human and animal health. It was found that vermicomposting seems to be by far the most affordable and quickest method of agricultural solid waste management. It also describes the problem of crop residue burning, which is quite prevalent in developing countries like India. It was also seen that the respective central and state governments must frame specific policies and laws for agricultural waste management. As agricultural solid wastes have good re-use and conversion potential, and it was suggested that suitable measures that can be taken to implement sustainable management of agricultural solid wastes.