ABSTRACT
Farming generates a tremendous amount of waste in the form of cellulosic biomass. With the constant rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide and the continuous degradation of soil health in farmlands, the sustainable management of agricultural waste has long been a goal. This chapter explores various methods of sustainable waste management through the cyclical usage of wastes from various agricultural endeavours. Cellulosic biomass, such as rice straw and corn stalk, can be utilized in the green synthesis of nanomaterials. It can also be used as a fertilizer through composting, with the aid of rapid composting and enrichment technology. Moreover, cellulosic waste can be used as a substrate in mushroom farming, producing a healthy yet affordable food source. The spent mushroom substrate, on the other hand, after being subjected to rapid composting and enrichment processes, can be an alternative livestock, poultry and fish feed. The manure from livestock farming can then be combined with cellulosic waste and subjected to composting to produce a compost fertilizer that rice farmers can use as a supplement or even as an alternative to commercial fertilizers. The cyclical utilization of agricultural wastes for a myriad of agricultural and industrial enterprises provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to agricultural waste management.
