35
Additionally, there may be a “huge” gap in Ghana between research and policy
(Monney 2014). Academia should be communicating with the public and offering
extension/outreach services in improved and sustainable waste management and
agriculture techniques. Academic communication with policy makers in developing climate change resiliency goals and regulations is also lacking. Monney (2014)
states the need for initial seed funding and entrepreneurial leaders to develop
waste- to- resource programs and community member biomass recycling education,
biodegradable products, facilities infrastructure, and transportation of communityproduced organic materials to the compost facility or farm. Developing these models to increase soil carbon sequestration will increase soil tilth and associated crop
productivity, creating more resilient, self-sufficient, and climatically and financially stable systems (Agriculture in Ghana: Facts and Figures 2011).
3.4 Impact Sustainability: Final Remarks
3.4.1 Fostering Circular Sustainable Economies
Closing the carbon loop, organic materials serve as a connecting link between food
production, recycling and waste management, water conservation, climate change
resiliency, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. However, in many non-industrialized
countries, self-sufficiency has been eroded by several factors, including environmental impacts, lack of education and dissemination, and globalization. Additionally,
with the continued exponential rise in human populations, the need to increase food
production and water conservation measures is imminent.
By imitating the productivity of natural ecosystems and returning carbon-based
materials to the soil source, biomass utilization promotes a reduced reliance on
potentially water-polluting and costly synthetic fertilizers. There is a need for global
biomass waste volume assessments and associated waste audits. Proper compost
processing provides a safe means to utilize organic waste materials, fostering sustainable landscape and agricultural practices and circular economies. Developing
educational tools and models and requiring carbon and ecosystem cycling curriculum in public and private school settings are necessary components of effective
compost program development. Although advanced machinery and technologies
may be more readily available in industrialized countries, compost program development employing locally available organic materials can and must translate to
non-industrialized countries.
A revival of nurturing a full cycle organic waste-to-resource system, with community, academia, public and private entities, and farmer collaborations, is crucial
in sustainable agricultural development. However, these measures and goals should
be culturally sensitive and predicated on available resources and technologies. As
emphasized in the Ghanaian case study, sound research must support policy development. Furthermore, academics should be communicating with the public and
3 SDG 2 Zero Hunger
Additionally, there may be a “huge” gap in Ghana between research and policy
(Monney 2014). Academia should be communicating with the public and offering
extension/outreach services in improved and sustainable waste management and
agriculture techniques. Academic communication with policy makers in developing climate change resiliency goals and regulations is also lacking. Monney (2014)
states the need for initial seed funding and entrepreneurial leaders to develop
waste- to- resource programs and community member biomass recycling education,
biodegradable products, facilities infrastructure, and transportation of communityproduced organic materials to the compost facility or farm. Developing these models to increase soil carbon sequestration will increase soil tilth and associated crop
productivity, creating more resilient, self-sufficient, and climatically and financially stable systems (Agriculture in Ghana: Facts and Figures 2011).
3.4 Impact Sustainability: Final Remarks
3.4.1 Fostering Circular Sustainable Economies
Closing the carbon loop, organic materials serve as a connecting link between food
production, recycling and waste management, water conservation, climate change
resiliency, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. However, in many non-industrialized
countries, self-sufficiency has been eroded by several factors, including environmental impacts, lack of education and dissemination, and globalization. Additionally,
with the continued exponential rise in human populations, the need to increase food
production and water conservation measures is imminent.
By imitating the productivity of natural ecosystems and returning carbon-based
materials to the soil source, biomass utilization promotes a reduced reliance on
potentially water-polluting and costly synthetic fertilizers. There is a need for global
biomass waste volume assessments and associated waste audits. Proper compost
processing provides a safe means to utilize organic waste materials, fostering sustainable landscape and agricultural practices and circular economies. Developing
educational tools and models and requiring carbon and ecosystem cycling curriculum in public and private school settings are necessary components of effective
compost program development. Although advanced machinery and technologies
may be more readily available in industrialized countries, compost program development employing locally available organic materials can and must translate to
non-industrialized countries.
A revival of nurturing a full cycle organic waste-to-resource system, with community, academia, public and private entities, and farmer collaborations, is crucial
in sustainable agricultural development. However, these measures and goals should
be culturally sensitive and predicated on available resources and technologies. As
emphasized in the Ghanaian case study, sound research must support policy development. Furthermore, academics should be communicating with the public and
3 SDG 2 Zero Hunger