Sawudatu Hamidu

MANGO WASTE MANAGEMENT IN SOMANYA

Date of report: April 4, 2025

Duration of community service: March 25, 2025 to March 29, 2025

Sawudatu Hamidu, 2023 Scholarship Recipient

1. Introduction  

Somanya, a vibrant town in the Eastern Region of Ghana, is known for its bustling mango trade. However, the improper disposal of mango waste (peels, seeds, and spoiled fruits) has led to significant environmental concerns and health challenges including pollution (water and air),foul odors, and pest and fly infestations. To address this issue, a hands-on community service initiative was organized in collaboration with local mango sellers and farmers to promote sustainable waste management practices.  

  2. Objectives  

The community service aimed to:  

• Educate mango sellers and farmers on proper waste disposal methods.  

• Introduce composting and recycling techniques for mango waste.  

• Reduce environmental pollution caused by organic waste and promote public health in Somanya.

• Foster a cleaner and healthier market environment.

  
  

 3. Activities Conducted  

    3.1. Awareness Campaign  

I educated the mango sellers in Somanya, specifically on the Somanya-Accra road on:  

- The environmental impact of improper mango waste disposal.  

- The benefits of composting mango peels and seeds.  

- The potential for using mango waste in animal feed and biogas production.  

- The proper waste management method of mango waste (peels, seeds, and spoiled fruits)

 3.2. Demonstration of Waste Segregation, Composting and Proper Disposal Training  

A practical session was conducted to demonstrate:  

- Waste segregation: Separating mango peels, seeds, and spoiled fruits from other waste.  

- Composting: Teaching sellers how to convert mango waste into organic fertilizer for farming.  

- Alternative uses: Exploring how dried mango seeds can be used for crafts or animal feed.  

Also to complement pit burial, sellers were trained on:

• Separating spoiled mangoes from other market waste.

• Using designated waste bins or baskets before transferring organic waste to the pits.

• Alternative uses for mango waste, such as compositing for farming. 

 3.3. Digging of Mango Waste Disposal Pits

A key activity was digging waste pits for the proper disposal of spoiled mangoes. The process involved: 

• Site Selection: A suitable location away from water sources and market stalls was chosen to prevent contamination.

• Pit Construction: Volunteers dug 1.5-meter-deep pits to ensure proper decomposition without odor leakage.

• Layering technique: Spoiled mangoes were layered with dry leaves and soil to speed up decomposition and minimize flies.

• Demonstration: Sellers were taught how to maintain the pits by covering fresh waste with soil daily.

3.4 Practical Section on Seed Propagation and Germination 

A field survey and practical session was carried out to educate the farmers on seed propagation of the spoilt mangoes. Some key facts were highlighted. 

The seed of the local mango places a very vital role in seed germination as it can be cultivated into mango seedling for small- and large-scale mango tree planting. Hybrid mango seeds often fail to germinate after planting due to their monoembryonic nature, which means they contain only one embryo resulting from sexual reproduction. This embryo may not be genetically stable or viable for propagation, and in many cases, hybrid seeds are sterile or not true-to-type. Additionally, hybrid varieties are typically propagated through grafting, not from seeds.

In contrast, local mango seeds are usually polyembryonic, containing multiple embryos, including genetic clones of the mother tree. These seeds exhibit higher germination rates, better genetic stability, and are more adapted to local environmental conditions, making them more suitable for seed propagation. 

4. Discovery  

As a sustainability and innovative student, I educated, typically the farmers on the awe-inspiring use of these mangoes to produce fruit-based alcohol as a by-product of the production of consumable and non-consumable products through fermentation and distillation. This has created a great relief for these farmers as they will no longer cry their hearts off when most of the mangoes are perishing after harvest since they are aware of the vital use of perishing mangoes in the long run.

5. Conclusion  

My community service in Somanya has been a meaningful experience. Through my work in mango waste management, I helped turn a local challenge into an opportunity for positive change. By working with the people of Somanya, we promoted better ways to reduce, reuse, and manage mango waste in an eco-friendly way. More than just solving a problem, this community service has revealed hidden gems of the alternative use of mangoes, typically waste or spoilt mangoes that will provide a long term benefit and promote sustainable development.

This project not only improved the environment but also strengthened my connection with the community through positive impact. It showed the importance of caring for both the land and the people. I am very proud of what we achieved together and hopeful that the impact will continue to grow.

Sawudatu Hamidu

Second Year, Environment and Public Health, University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD). Somanya, Eastern Region