International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 03 | Mar 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Assessment and Current Management Practices of Selective PostConsumption Fruit waste in Eritrea Daniel Tekleweyni1, Samuel Tuquabo1, Samuel Ghebregziabher1, Ramesh Babu Aremanda1* 1Graduate, Department of Chemical Engineering, MCET, Eritrea 1*Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, MCET, Eritrea ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - There is a threefold increase in global fruit
production [5]. India, China, Thailand, and Indonesia are also among the top producers of mangoes, with global production projected to reach 84 million tons by 2030 [2,3].
production during 1973-2022, whereas in Eritrea the ministry of agriculture recently expanded the fruit cultivation from 734 ha to over 5000 ha in 2023. As a result, production of banana, papaya and mango together accounted for 28,369 tons, in which banana alone adds more than 90% of the production. Post consumed fruit waste, when it is disposed into the landfills causes significantly in releasing greenhouse gases. In context, a survey conducted to assess the post consumption fruit waste from selected business centers in Asmara and to understand their current waste management practices. Survey revealed that the major fruit waste accounted for papaya and banana fruits, causative more than 80% (by weight). In addition, total post consumption wastes of selected fruits; banana, papaya and mango estimated as 8274 tons in 2023 based on their specific waste generations, which is notably huge amount to manage. Despite practicing to feed the post consumed fruit waste to animals, as the fruit production rises in 2023, special attention must be paid by the researchers for improved valorization of the waste through its prudential utilization.
The current production and productivity of most fruit crops in Eritrea is low when compared to regional and world averages. The fruits that are cultivated in Eritrea include banana, papaya, mango, orange, guava, lemon, mandarin and others. Based on the year 2022 statistics the fruit harvested area in Eritrea was estimated at 734 ha and the production of fruits was at a level of 4,871.53 tonnes. As shown in chart 1., the annual fruit production in Eritrea varied in between 4791 tonnes per year in 2011 to 5000 tonnes in 2012. Over the period considered (2011-2022) for the production of fruits in Eritrea, however, continued to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern due to variety of problems like technical, environmental and economic issues [6]. In value terms, fruit production expanded remarkably to $15M in 2022 estimated in export price [7]. Furthermore, the ministry of agriculture (MoA) in Eritrea has focused on improving their fruit production in 2023 and expanded the fruit cultivation to over 5000 hectares and as a result more 76000 tons of fruits were produced in 2023 as shown in chart 1[8].
Key Words: Fruit waste assessment, waste management, post consumption fruit waste, environmental pollution, solid waste management, bio-waste valorization
1.INTRODUCTION The major fruits by their production globally include banana, apples, grapes, mangoes, papayas, oranges and watermelons [1]. However, their production quantities vary across different countries and regions based on their agroclimatic conditions [2]. Bananas are one of the most widely produced fruits with a global export industry generating around USD 9.1 billion per year. In 2020, South American suppliers exported an estimated 530,000 tons of bananas, with Brazil and Peru being the leading exporters. India is also a significant producer of bananas, with more than 30 million tons produced annually [3]. Papayas are predominantly grown in tropical regions, with India, Mexico, and Brazil being among the top producers. Further, papayas account for approximately 15.36% of the total tropical fruit production, behind mangoes and pineapples [4]. Nevertheless, global production of papayas projected to reach 18 million tons by 2032 [5]. Mexico is the largest global exporter of mangoes with a 3% growth in exports in 2020. Mangoes are the second most produced tropical fruit, accounting for approximately 10.66% of total fruit
© 2024, IRJET
|
Impact Factor value: 8.226
Chart -1: Annual fruit production trends in Eritrea With the global production of fruits between 1973 and 2022 increased substantially from 290 million to 933 million tons, the generation of large amounts of by-products and waste has become a significant concern [7]. In general fruit
|
ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal
|
Page 59