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@article{195987,
        author = {Sonal Ashok Dhoke},
        title = {Biotechnological Valorization of Horticultural Agro-Waste for Environmental Sustainability},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {no},
        pages = {259-263},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=195987},
        abstract = {Horticulture plays crucial role in agriculture economies by providing fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants that contributes to nutrition, employment and income generation. It contributes significantly to global food and nutritional security. However, it generates agro-waste during cultivation, post-harvesting handling, processing, distribution and consumption. These agro-waste includes peels of fruits and vegetables, stalks, leaves, roots, seeds and spoiled remain that poses great harm to environmental pollution including air, soil and water pollution, when improperly managed. Traditionally, such waste was discarded in open dumps and landfills that leads to uncontrolled microbial decomposition, soil pollution and soil degradation. Rapid decomposition of these agro-wastes leads to foul odour, leachate formation, emissions of greenhouse gases like methane, and increase exposure to vector borne diseases. Despite this concerns, agro-waste are widely used as an organic bio-fertilizer as it is rich in nutrients and organic matter and serves as bio-active compound, making it valuable resource in biotechnological applications.
This research paper critically examines environmental challenges associated with horticultural agro-waste and explores the eco-friendly and sustainable biotechnological solutions for better management and excellent valorization. The research study emphasis on vermicomposting, anaerobic digestion, composting and development of bio-based product such as bio-plastics and biodegradable films offer a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. Such innovations reduce dependence on petroleum-based plastics and promotes environmental sustainability. The integration of biotechnology with agro-waste management provides effective pathway towards environmental sustainability, circular bio-economy and resource recovery.},
        keywords = {Agro-waste management, Agro-waste valorization, Biotechnology, Composting, Environmental sustainability, Horticultural crops, Vermicomposting},
        month = {March},
        }