508
A. Vushe
These researches may encompass large-scale reforestation of degraded lands with
trees that have high-protein leaves and fruits/pods, like the African ebony (Diospyros
mespiliformis), also called jackalberry (National Research Council 2008), as well as
the mopane tree and other hardy legume trees, e.g., some accacia species. These
studies could be complemented by studies on management of plant and animal
diseases and pests. Reforestation pilot projects can also be used to examine soil and
water conservation and the production of edible insects like mopane worms (Wessels
et al. 2006). These edible, protein-rich insects can increase the availability of lowcost protein diets. Incorporating antelope domestication and breeding can increase
global trade in African agricultural products, ecotourism, and food and financial
security for arid regions of Africa. These efforts are likely to lead to the creation
of new industrial products that do not compete directly with but rather complement
existing production systems, diversify revenue streams and create new, environmentally friendly products, economically empower communities, and reduce migration
away from African rural areas.
7 Cost-Effective Urban Wastewater and Sludge Treatment
Systems and Reuse in Agriculture
Practical solutions that support the freshwater and human nutrient cycles while
reducing pollution, especially in water-stressed regions, are urgently required. Many
urban and peri-urban settlements in Africa use pit latrines which fill up after a
few years and are sometimes reused after manual desludging. African cities should
investigate the feasibility of adopting integrated urban water management methods
which have worked well in Indian slums (Jacobsen et al. 2012), especially where
there are pit latrines. Many African settlements that use waterborne sanitation and
conventional wastewater treatment facilities often release effluents that do not meet
prescribed environmental standards, especially on nutrient load. Wastewater and
sludge treatment and reuse in agricultural systems to enhance food production and
promote a cleaner urban environment remains an acceptable concept but has low
global industrial applications. Upscaling this ecological sanitation concept requires
serious researches in pilot projects in cities like Accra which produces 90% of its
vegetables from wastewater irrigated plots (Jacobsen et al. 2012). Urban centers
must develop integrated urban water management systems, with a prime objective of
reaching nearly 100% recycling of macronutrients (NPK) using low-cost sanitation
technologies that disinfect pathogenic organisms and remove odor from fecal matter
and wastewater.
Theoretically, nutrients in domestic wastewater and organic waste are nearly sufficient to fertilize the crops needed to feed the world population (Refsgaard et al.
2005). Direct recycling of nutrients from human fecal matter as fertilizer has been
found to be cost ineffective because of the availability of affordable and user-friendly
synthetic fertilizers. The benefits of using fecal matter as an agricultural fertilizer
A. Vushe
These researches may encompass large-scale reforestation of degraded lands with
trees that have high-protein leaves and fruits/pods, like the African ebony (Diospyros
mespiliformis), also called jackalberry (National Research Council 2008), as well as
the mopane tree and other hardy legume trees, e.g., some accacia species. These
studies could be complemented by studies on management of plant and animal
diseases and pests. Reforestation pilot projects can also be used to examine soil and
water conservation and the production of edible insects like mopane worms (Wessels
et al. 2006). These edible, protein-rich insects can increase the availability of lowcost protein diets. Incorporating antelope domestication and breeding can increase
global trade in African agricultural products, ecotourism, and food and financial
security for arid regions of Africa. These efforts are likely to lead to the creation
of new industrial products that do not compete directly with but rather complement
existing production systems, diversify revenue streams and create new, environmentally friendly products, economically empower communities, and reduce migration
away from African rural areas.
7 Cost-Effective Urban Wastewater and Sludge Treatment
Systems and Reuse in Agriculture
Practical solutions that support the freshwater and human nutrient cycles while
reducing pollution, especially in water-stressed regions, are urgently required. Many
urban and peri-urban settlements in Africa use pit latrines which fill up after a
few years and are sometimes reused after manual desludging. African cities should
investigate the feasibility of adopting integrated urban water management methods
which have worked well in Indian slums (Jacobsen et al. 2012), especially where
there are pit latrines. Many African settlements that use waterborne sanitation and
conventional wastewater treatment facilities often release effluents that do not meet
prescribed environmental standards, especially on nutrient load. Wastewater and
sludge treatment and reuse in agricultural systems to enhance food production and
promote a cleaner urban environment remains an acceptable concept but has low
global industrial applications. Upscaling this ecological sanitation concept requires
serious researches in pilot projects in cities like Accra which produces 90% of its
vegetables from wastewater irrigated plots (Jacobsen et al. 2012). Urban centers
must develop integrated urban water management systems, with a prime objective of
reaching nearly 100% recycling of macronutrients (NPK) using low-cost sanitation
technologies that disinfect pathogenic organisms and remove odor from fecal matter
and wastewater.
Theoretically, nutrients in domestic wastewater and organic waste are nearly sufficient to fertilize the crops needed to feed the world population (Refsgaard et al.
2005). Direct recycling of nutrients from human fecal matter as fertilizer has been
found to be cost ineffective because of the availability of affordable and user-friendly
synthetic fertilizers. The benefits of using fecal matter as an agricultural fertilizer