Global Research in Environment and Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability in Post-Harvest Handling Systems in Nigeria: A Review of Challenges and Innovative Solutions

Akinyemi Mudashiru — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Post-harvest losses in Nigeria, estimated at 30–50%, threaten food security, agricultural productivity, and smallholder farmers' incomes. These losses lead to resource waste, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and environmental degradation, exacerbating climate change impacts. This review examines the environmental challenges in Nigeria’s post-harvest handling systems and identifies innovative, sustainable solutions. Factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of modern preservation technologies, inefficient logistics, weak policy enforcement, and limited awareness among farmers contribute to unsustainable practices. These challenges exacerbate environmental degradation and reduce agricultural efficiency. To address these issues, the review presents solutions such as solar-powered cold rooms and dryers, biodegradable packaging, improved transportation networks, cold chain logistics, and organic waste recycling. Digital tools and mobile platforms are also emerging to optimize supply chains, reduce market inefficiencies, and minimize waste. The review emphasizes the critical role of policy and institutional frameworks in supporting green technologies, building stakeholder capacity, and fostering public-private partnerships. Strengthening policy implementation, investing in research and infrastructure, and promoting farmer education are key steps toward a sustainable post-harvest handling system. In conclusion, tackling environmental impacts requires a holistic approach combining technological innovation, supportive policies, and behavioral change. This review highlights the importance of integrating sustainability into all aspects of post-harvest handling to protect the environment, enhance food security, and improve farmers' livelihoods in Nigeria.

Assessment of Biological Contamination in the Water Supply of Barangay San Pablo, Tubod, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines

Rex Bomvet D. Saura, Jonnel Babanto Escabarte, Shiera Beltran Juanitas — Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

This study evaluated the biological contaminants of the water supply in Barangay San Pablo, Tubod, Surigao del Norte in collaboration of Local Government Unit of Tubod. Specifically, it aimed to determine the Total Bacterial Count, and Most Probable Number (MPN) of Total and Fecal Coliform; the colony forming unit of total bacterial count through water sample analysis for the health safety of the beneficiaries. Water samples were collected from four key points - watershed, reservoir effluent, pipeline, and household taps in three separate sampling time. Laboratory analysis showed that Total Coliform recorded >8 MPN/mL were noted across sampling periods. The Fecal Coliforms levels ranged from 0 to 4.6 MPN/mL. The Total Bacterial Count was 502 to 593 CFU/mL with the mean of 539.4 CFU/mL. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference with the p = 0.000 compared to Philippine National Drinking Water Quality Standard which sets at <500 CFU/mL acceptable limits. This means that the water supply was contaminated with bacteria including Total and Fecal Coliform rendering unsafe for drinking. The contaminations attributed by fish fecal, human recreational activities and the presence of livestock in the vicinity of watershed and throughout the distribution system. The study recommends regular monitoring and intensive water treatment facility to ensure safe drinking water and sustainable water management which also an essential steps in attaining SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Parasitoids Associated with the Invasive Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda (J.E. Smith) Under Biorational Insecticide Treatments

Badii K. B., Atanga T. A., Pienaah A. K. C. — Sun, 18 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is presently the most economically important pest of maize in sub-Saharan Africa. Synthetic insecticides have been the most reliable control option since its invasion in the sub-region. The outbreak of the pest in Africa has led to several recommendations of insecticides, including biopesticides. However, the effects of these products on the environment, especially on parasitoid species have not been assessed under field conditions. Studies were conducted in Nyankpala and Nanton-Changnayilli in the northern region of Ghana during the 2024 cropping season to determine the influence of selected biorational insecticides on parasitoid species associated with the pest. The biorational insecticides; Grow-Safe (3% Azadirachtin), Eradicaot (282 g/l Maltodextrin), Agoo (Bt 55% + Monosultap 45%), Bypel 1 (Perisrapae granulosis virus + Bacillus thuringensis 5%) and the synthetic insecticide, Ema Star (Emamectin benzoate 48 g/l plus acetamiprid 64 g/l) were applied on 11 selected farms. Samples of S. frugiperda larvae were collected from the fields and incubated to determine the parasitoid species emerged, their relative abundance and parasitism rates. Three parasitoid species of the pest were identified. These were Coccygidium luteum (Brulle), Chelonus bifoveolatus (Szepligeti) and Charops sp. C. luteum was the most abundant parasitoid and with the highest parasitism rate whilst Charops sp was the least abundant in the surveyed areas. Parasitoid abundance and parasitism rates increased with botanical insecticide application over the synthetic insecticide. The botanical insecticide Grow-safe (Azadirachthin) recorded the highest parasitoid abundance and parasitism rate. Ema star recorded the least parasitism rate and parasitoid abundance. Management of FAW in the savanna zone should focus on the use of Grow-safe in order to conserve the population of C. luteum for biocontrol interventions.

Presence and Level of Heavy Metals in the River Miljacka

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100

In this project under the financial support of the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth of Sarajevo Canton, the sources of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, Fe, Mn and Hg) were examined in the river Miljacka, and the levels of pollution in two different periods, in autumn and early spring. The sources and presence of heavy metals in the water and in the ground (riverbanks mud) were determined, physical and chemical analyzes of the water were also done in the same periods of the year. This research paper provides an overview of the analysis of mud and water samples from the Miljacka river from ten different sites in the city of Sarajevo from Goat bridge to the estuary of the River Miljacka into the Bosna River. All analyzes were performed in the Laboratory for Chemistry of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences University of Sarajevo and the laboratory EURO INSPEKT ltd. - "Real INSPECT" Sarajevo. Physicochemical parameters examined in this research work were: turbidity (measured 6.19-32.04 NTU), pH value (6.3-7.72), consumption of KMnO4 (1.94 - 7.39 mg O2/l), ammonia (0.05 - 4.08 mg N/I), nitrates (0.80 - 2.90 mg/l). All heavy metals and trace elements (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, Fe, Mn) according to the obtained results were under the references except mercury (Hg) observed higher concentrations from two sites (0.10 μg/l) in both measuring (autumn and spring). Based on the conducted research, we can conclude that the river Miljacka has a higher concentration of nitrates, ammonia, mercury and inadequate turbidity.

Seasonal Assessment and Impact of Sawmill Activities on Air Quality in Sapele Municipality, Delta State, Nigeria

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The seasonal assessment and impact of numerous sawmill activities on air quality in Sapele municipality and its immediate environment was examined. To achieve this, the concentration of key air pollutants in areas with heavy sawmill operations were studied with associated health risks for both seasons. This study employed the use of Aeroqual GasSensing device series 300 to measure CO, NH₃, VOCs, SOx, NOx, CH₄, while particulate matter detector was used to record PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ levels. The results around sawmill area with heavy operations revealed that CH₄ was high 2928 ppm dry and 774pm wet (S1). VOCs 7536 ppm (S1) dry and 47 ppm (S1) wet. For particulate matter PM_2.5 was 223 µg/m³ (S2) dry and 306 µg/m³ (S2) wet while PM₁₀ was 250 µg/m³ (S1) dry and 284 µg/m³ (S1) wet. The findings of this study underscores the need for on-going monitoring and targeted interventions to address season-specific air quality concerns for surrounding communities, hence stiffer regulations and enforcement on sawmill activities.

Secondary Forest, Roles, Issues, Adaptation and Prospects: The Case of the Bakundu Forest South west Region, Cameroon

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Secondary forest are prominent features on landscape management in many countries. Their vital roles in providing goods and services are paramount. This study aims to examine the contributions of secondary forest, main issues of forest depletion, and adaptation strategies developed. A recognizance survey was carried out in the month of December to select the study sites and sampling zones. The selection of the villages took into cognizance population, proximity and accessibility to forest. The study areas were stratified into four zones to ensure proper coverage of the respondents. The purposive sampling technique was used whereby farmers, timber operators, hunters, fishermen, traders who have been exploiting the secondary forest for 15 years and above were purposively selected to constitute the population for the study. The determined sample size for the study was 100 respondents. The primary data were collected with the use of questionnaires, field observation and secondary data were obtained from books, journals and publications. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS and Miscrosoft Excel and results presented as descriptive statistics. The chi square X²wasused to determine the association amongst variables and across zones. The results showed that majority of the respondents (68.77%) across the study site were males while the rest (29.23%) were female. Married were (44.79%) and single (44.79%) while divorced were the least (11.46%). Majority of the respondents across the study area are engaged in crop cultivation (75%) as their primary source of income and this was followed by logged timber (12.50%). The main goods, reported were firewood (93.74%), closely followed by timber (66.66%). The services highly cited were watershed (81.25%) and cultural values (58.33%). The main issues reported were deforestation (72.96%) and biodiversity loss (70.83%). The main strategies of adaptation reported are preservation of cultural values (79.16%), the creation of local farm board committee (97.91%), legal regulation in logging and reforestation (44.79%). This study concludes that proper management of secondary forest can lead to improvement of livelihoods of local communities and help to mitigate climate change.