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Draft:HARNESSING GREEN CHEMISTRY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

HARNESSING GREEN CHEMISTRY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE edit

As far as the pursuit of sustainable development is concerned, the principles of green chemistry have emerged as a guiding force across various industries.[1]. While it is often associated with sectors like pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, applying green chemistry in agriculture remains a relatively unexplored frontier[2]. By integrating environmentally benign practices and innovative technologies, green chemistry can be a promising solution to address the ecological and human health challenges associated with conventional agricultural practices, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria.

The Need for Green Chemistry in Agriculture edit

Conventional agriculture relies heavily on chemical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides to maximise farm product yields[3]. While these inputs have undoubtedly increased agricultural productivity but pose significant environmental and health risks. Runoff from agricultural chemicals contributes to water pollution, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Additionally, exposure to pesticide residues has been linked to adverse health effects in both humans and wildlife.

Recognising these challenges, the need to incorporate green chemistry in the agricultural sector is sacrosanct in order to mitigate environmental impacts while improving and maintaining a high level of productivity[3][4]. Green chemistry aims to design processes and products that minimise the use and generation of hazardous substances, thereby reducing pollution and promoting sustainability[5][6].

Innovations in Green Agricultural Chemistry. edit

The following are some of the innovations applicable to agriculture that are derived from green chemistry:

1. Bio-based Pesticides and Fertilizers

Green chemistry encourages the development of pesticides and fertilizers derived from renewable resources such as plant extracts, microorganisms, and naturally occurring minerals[7]. Bio-based pesticides offer effective pest management[8] while minimizing harm to non-target organisms and reducing chemical residues in the environment. Similarly, bio-fertilizers enhance soil fertility by harnessing the power of beneficial microbes, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

2. Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture utilizes advanced technologies such as sensors, drones, and data analytics to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact[9]. By precisely targeting inputs such as water, nutrients, and pesticides, farmers can improve efficiency and reduce waste. This approach not only conserves resources but also minimizes the potential for environmental contamination[10].

3. Green Solvents and Formulations

Traditional agricultural chemicals often rely on volatile organic solvents that pose risks to human health and the environment. Green chemistry promotes the use of safer, more sustainable solvents derived from renewable sources or with reduced toxicity[11][12]. Additionally, researchers are developing novel formulations that enhance the efficacy of active ingredients while minimizing environmental persistence[13]

4. Biodegradable Mulches and Films

Plastics used in agriculture, such as mulches and films, contribute to plastic pollution and pose disposal challenges[14]. Green chemistry offers biodegradable alternatives derived from renewable materials such as starches, cellulose, and polylactic acid (PLA)[15]. These materials provide similar functions to traditional plastics while minimizing environmental harm and reducing waste.

Challenges and Opportunities edit

Despite the potential benefits, the widespread adoption of green chemistry in agriculture faces several challenges[16][17]. Economic constraints, regulatory barriers, and the need for education and outreach all influence the uptake of sustainable practices, especially in developing countries with struggling economy and high rate of uneducated citizens. Additionally, transitioning from conventional to green chemistry-based approaches requires investment in research, development, and infrastructure.

However, the opportunities afforded by green chemistry in agriculture are vast and worth exploring[18], regardless of these challenges. Apart from mitigating environmental impacts, sustainable agricultural practices can enhance resilience to climate change, improve soil health, and promote biodiversity. Moreover, consumer demand for sustainably produced food continues to grow, providing economic incentives for farmers to adopt greener practices.

Conclusion edit

Green chemistry offers a holistic approach to addressing the environmental and health challenges associated with traditional and/or conventional agricultural practices. By adopting principles of sustainability, innovation, and efficiency, the agricultural sector can transition towards more environmentally benign and socially responsible practices. Through continued research, collaboration, and investment, green chemistry has the potential to transform and revolutionize agriculture, ensuring food security for future generations while safeguarding the planet, thus achieving sustainable development goals.

References edit

  1. ^ "12 Principles of Green Chemistry". American Chemical Society. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  2. ^ Perlatti, Bruno; Forim, Moacir R.; Zuin, Vânia G. (2014-08-13). "Green chemistry, sustainable agriculture and processing systems: a Brazilian overview". Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. 1 (1): 5. doi:10.1186/s40538-014-0005-1. ISSN 2196-5641.
  3. ^ a b Chojnacka, Katarzyna (April 2024). "Sustainable chemistry in adaptive agriculture: A review". Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 46: 100898. Bibcode:2024COGSC..4600898C. doi:10.1016/j.cogsc.2024.100898. ISSN 2452-2236.
  4. ^ Bhandari, Suneeta (2018-09-29). "Applications of Green Chemistry Principles in Agriculture". Green Chemistry & Technology Letters. 4 (2): 10–12. doi:10.18510/gctl.2018.422. ISSN 2455-3611.
  5. ^ "Basics of Green Chemistry". 12 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Green Chemistry". Green Chemistry.
  7. ^ Sojka, Marcin; Saeid, Agnieszka (2022-01-01), Chojnacka, Katarzyna; Saeid, Agnieszka (eds.), "Chapter 10 - Bio-based products for agriculture", Smart Agrochemicals for Sustainable Agriculture, Academic Press, pp. 279–310, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-817036-6.00001-7, ISBN 978-0-12-817036-6, retrieved 2024-04-23
  8. ^ Dhuldhaj, Umesh Pravin; Singh, Rishikesh; Singh, Vipin Kumar (2023-01-01). "Pesticide contamination in agro-ecosystems: toxicity, impacts, and bio-based management strategies". Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 30 (4): 9243–9270. doi:10.1007/s11356-022-24381-y. ISSN 1614-7499. PMID 36456675.
  9. ^ Shafi, Uferah; Mumtaz, Rafia; García-Nieto, José; Hassan, Syed Ali; Zaidi, Syed Ali Raza; Iqbal, Naveed (January 2019). "Precision Agriculture Techniques and Practices: From Considerations to Applications". Sensors. 19 (17): 3796. Bibcode:2019Senso..19.3796S. doi:10.3390/s19173796. ISSN 1424-8220. PMC 6749385. PMID 31480709.
  10. ^ Brisco, B.; Brown, R.J.; Hirose, T.; McNairn, H.; Staenz, K. (September 1998). "Precision Agriculture and the Role of Remote Sensing: A Review". Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing. 24 (3): 315–327. Bibcode:1998CaJRS..24..315B. doi:10.1080/07038992.1998.10855254. ISSN 0703-8992.
  11. ^ Höfer, Rainer (2009). Sustainable Solutions for Modern Economies. Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN 978-1-84755-905-0.
  12. ^ Lewandowski, T. A. (2014-01-01), "Green Chemistry", in Wexler, Philip (ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology (Third Edition), Oxford: Academic Press, pp. 798–799, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-386454-3.01020-4, ISBN 978-0-12-386455-0, retrieved 2024-04-23
  13. ^ Silva, Simone S.; Gomes, Joana M.; Reis, Rui L.; Kundu, Subhas C. (2021-05-17). "Green Solvents Combined with Bioactive Compounds as Delivery Systems: Present Status and Future Trends". ACS Applied Bio Materials. 4 (5): 4000–4013. doi:10.1021/acsabm.1c00013. ISSN 2576-6422. PMID 35006819.
  14. ^ Environment, U. N. (02/08/2022). "Plastic Pollution". UNEP - UN Environment Programme. Retrieved 2024-04-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Bandopadhyay, Sreejata; Martin-Closas, Lluis; Pelacho, Ana M.; DeBruyn, Jennifer M. (2018). "Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films: Impacts on Soil Microbial Communities and Ecosystem Functions". Frontiers in Microbiology. 9: 819. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.00819. ISSN 1664-302X. PMC 5932902. PMID 29755440.
  16. ^ Boix-Fayos, Carolina; de Vente, Joris (April 2023). "Challenges and potential pathways towards sustainable agriculture within the European Green Deal". Agricultural Systems. 207: 103634. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103634. ISSN 0308-521X.
  17. ^ Kaur, Garima Singh, Gurjit (2019), "Green Smart Agriculture System", Green and Smart Technologies for Smart Cities, CRC Press, pp. 147–164, doi:10.1201/9780429454837-7, ISBN 978-0-429-45483-7, retrieved 2024-04-23{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Ncube, Amos; Mtetwa, Sandile; Bukhari, Mahak; Fiorentino, Gabriella; Passaro, Renato (January 2023). "Circular Economy and Green Chemistry: The Need for Radical Innovative Approaches in the Design for New Products". Energies. 16 (4): 1752. doi:10.3390/en16041752. ISSN 1996-1073.
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