Cassava Residues Could Provide Sustainable Bioenergy for Cassava Producing Nations

Many cassava producing nations lack suitable energy availability and sufficiency. Just 10% of the population in Haiti receive power from the national electric grid. The proportion is 7% for Mozambique. In both countries, deforestation is extensive due to dependence on wood and charcoal for 70 and 85% of energy requirement respectively. In the case of Ghana, although biomass accounts for 64% of national energy supply, the dependence on primary biomass energy sources like wood and charcoal has led to increased loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and health problems. Prospects for the use of cassava peeling residues as a source of biomethane to mitigate these constraints have received little attention. In this chapter, the advantages and benefits of biomass energy, along with the potential for cassava as a feedstock and rationale for anaerobic digestion are highlighted. Depending on the quantity of cassava root processed by individual countries, the energy recovered from cassava peeling residues could satisfy up to 100% of national energy requirements

Making of an Entrepreneurial University in the 21st Century - Global Universities as a Role Model

This paper looks at what it takes to make a university entrepreneurial in the 21st century, especially with the global trend of Entrepreneurship Education.  Universities need to be entrepreneurial so as to churn out graduates who will create, rather than seek jobs.  The high rate of unemployment globally, calls for this.  The paper focuses on the concept of and economic perspective of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Education as well as portraying universities as role model in teaching entrepreneurship in the 21st century. The paper finally suggested establishment of Entrepreneurship Centre in each university, fully equipped with resources; internet connectivity and a globally friendly delivery system and assessment for the teaching of Entrepreneurship Education in universities. Keywords: Entrepreneurship Education, Entrepreneurial University, 21st Century, Global universities, Entrepreneurship concepts, Economic perspective, Entrepreneurship Centre, Internet connectivity, Self-employment, Delivery system and assessment

Circular economy use of biomass residues to alleviate poverty, environment, and health constraints

Inadequate energy and water resources supply are major constraints contributing to poverty and poor health outcomes in developing economies. Low-income countries lack ready access to modern necessities such as electricity and potable water. On one hand, the scarcity of electricity and other clean energies compel reliance on traditional biomass for domestic fuels. On the other hand, harvesting firewood to meet energy needs leads to deforestation and environmental degradation. Furthermore, burning the wood for heat creates ecosystem perturbators such as toxicants, greenhouse gasses, and particulate matter. These pollutants portend adverse health concerns, including premature mortality. Globally, fine particulate matter air pollution alone causes about 3.3 million deaths annually. The contribution of this paper is to offer how circular economy targeted technologies could come to the rescue. In particular, utilizing biomass residues and wastes for briquette and pellet creation is highlighted. These densified fuel products could serve as green energies in domestic and industrial applications; and thus, help to attenuate poverty, and the adverse environmental and health consequences of traditional biomass

Physico-chemical composition of unripe (green) plantain and banana hybrid fruits

Post harvest characteristics are important selection criteria in the genetic improvement of starchy staple food crops. This study aimed at determining the proximate chemical constituents of thirteen clones of new plantain and banana hybrids at harvest. Flour was produced and analysed for starch and sugar contents. The pulp dry matter content and texture were determined using pulp from unripe fruit. Results show that a triploid plantain, 23688-2 had the highest (38.7%) pulp dry matter content amongst the hybrids. The dry matter content of Agbagba and Obino l'Ewai were 38.8% and 37.8%, respectively. Starch content was highest (81.7%) in 25273-1 and lowest (71.0%) in 25502-S4. The highest total sugars (2.6%) was found in 1658-4, while 25729-5 had the lowest (0.4%). Pulp resistance was highest (33.7 N) in 15108-6 and lowest (16.0 N) in 25333-S90. Agbagba had a pulp resistance of 34.3 N, which was higher than that of Obino l'Ewai with 29.9 N. These observations suggest that there is potential for good cooking and sensory qualities in Musa hybrids. Keywords: genetic improvement, dry matter content, pulp resistance, cooking and sensory qualities, shelf life Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 12(1) 2006: 51-5

Evaluation of bunch characteristics and flour yield potential in black Sigatoka resistant plantain and banana hybrids

Post harvest evaluation is an important criterion in the screening of plantain and banana hybrids. Processing is a means of adding value to fruits, while extending shelf life and facilitating transportation. This study aimed at determining genetic differences among plantain and banana hybrids for flour yield to facilitate adoption and industrialisation. Eleven Musa hybrids, with resistance to black Sigatoka disease were used in this study. Flour was obtained by milling dried pulps, and flour yield was expressed as percentage of the bunch weight. Significant differences in flour yield were observed across the genotypes. Among the hybrids, highest flour yield (16.5%) was obtained in 548-9, while 25273-1 had the lowest (10.3%). Flour yield did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between Obono l'Ewai (18.5%) and two of the hybrids, 548-9 (16.5%) and 25502-S4 (16.4%). However, there was a significant difference (

Global Fertilizer Contributions from Specific Biogas Coproduct

The impact of Haber-Bosch process on modern agriculture is prodigious. Haber-Bosch process led to invention of chemical fertilizers that powered green revolution, minimized food scarcity, and improved human and animal nutrition. Haber–Bosch process facilitated agricultural productivity in many parts of the world, with up to 60% of crop yield increase attributed solely to nitrogen fertilizer. However, Haber-Bosch fertilizers are expensive, and their poor use efficiency exerts adverse external consequences. In European Union for example, the annual damage of up to € 320 (US$372.495) billion associated with chemical fertilizers outweighs their direct benefit to farmers, in terms of crops grown, of up to € 80 (US$ 93.124) billion. A substitute for chemical fertilizers is therefore needed. In this chapter, external costs of chemical fertilizers are highlighted. The capability of liquid fraction of cassava peeling residue digestate to supplant and mitigate pecuniary costs of chemical fertilizers required for production of cassava root is also analyzed and presented. Results indicate that about 25% of fund used to purchase chemical fertilizers required for cassava root production could be saved with the use of liquid fraction of cassava peeling residue digestate. The pecuniary value is estimated at US$ 0.141 (≈ € 0.121) billion for the 2019 global cassava root output. This saving excludes external costs associated with Haber-Bosch fertilizers such as ammonia air pollution, eutrophication, greenhouse gasses emissions, and contamination of potable water supply reserves. Consequently, liquid fraction digestate could reduce the cost of cassava root production, as well as minimize adverse health and environmental consequences attributed to chemical fertilizers