Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 221-232 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 221 Review Article Open Access Resource Utilization of Agricultural Waste: From Biomass Energy to Organic Fertilizer Wenzhong Huang Biomass Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: wenzhong.huang@hitar.org Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0021 Received: 14 May, 2024 Accepted: 20 Jun., 2024 Published: 03 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang W.Z., 2024, Resource utilization of agricultural waste: from biomass energy to organic fertilizer, Journal of Energy Bioscience, 15(4): 221-232 (doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0021) Abstract This study is to explore the potential of utilizing agricultural waste for the production of biomass energy and organic fertilizers, and evaluate various types of agricultural waste, such as animal manure, crop residues, and food waste, and their effectiveness in generating renewable energy and enhancing soil fertility through organic fertilizers. The study reveals that agricultural waste can be effectively transformed into valuable products. For instance, the total biomass nitrogen reservoir in China is found to be significantly large, with livestock and poultry manure being the largest contributors. Additionally, the valorization of agro-industrial wastes through biorefinery processes can generate substantial amounts of renewable energy and valuable by-products. The incorporation of agricultural waste-to-energy pathways into biomass product and process networks shows promising returns on investment, particularly in the case of converting orange peel wastes into pectin. The findings suggest that the utilization of agricultural waste for biomass energy and organic fertilizer production is not only feasible but also beneficial for sustainable agricultural development. By converting waste into valuable resources, it is possible to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and fossil fuels, thereby promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth. Keywords Agricultural waste; Biomass energy; Organic fertilizers; Waste valorization; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Agricultural activities generate substantial amounts of organic waste, including crop residues, animal manure, and post-harvest waste. Improper disposal of these materials can lead to significant environmental issues such as soil and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and health hazards due to the proliferation of pests and pathogens (Medina et al., 2015; Mieldažys et al., 2016). The accumulation of agricultural waste not only poses a threat to environmental sustainability but also represents a lost opportunity for resource recovery and utilization (Sharma et al., 2019). The effective management and utilization of agricultural waste are crucial for promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources such as biomass energy and organic fertilizers can mitigate environmental impacts and enhance soil fertility and crop productivity (Odlare et al., 2011; Chew et al., 2019; Srivastava et al., 2020). Utilizing organic waste for energy production and soil amendments can reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a circular economy (Sharma et al., 2019; Rajagopal and Liu, 2020). This approach not only addresses waste management challenges but also supports the sustainable development goals by improving resource efficiency and environmental health (Chojnacka et al., 2019). This study will examine various types of agricultural waste, their environmental impacts, and the technologies available for their transformation and utilization. The study will also assess the benefits and challenges associated with using agricultural waste for energy and soil enhancement, providing insights into sustainable waste management practices and their implications for agricultural sustainability. By synthesizing current research and developments in this field, the study hopes to highlight the importance of integrating waste management into sustainable agricultural practices and to propose strategies for optimizing the use of agricultural waste resources.
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