Animal bones are raw materials for industrial production – Agro-economist
NAN-AE-2
Bones
By Ajibola Olaniyi
Osogbo, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) An Agriceconomist at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Jadesola Adebuga, has said different animal bones are very rich in calcium and also useful for industrial production of ceramics.
Adebuga told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Wednesday animal bones as waste product had high industrial value.
“Animal bones, especially cow bones have been discovered and tested to be a robust source of calcium for fish and other aquatic animals. It is really helping them to survive and keep healthy.
“Aside that, the poultry farmers are also using the powder form of the by-product to feed their chicken for the purpose of making them strong and healthy.
“Also, most of these ceramics companies are using the cow bones for the production of ceramics plates and tiles,’’ she said.
The head of an abattoir at Fakunle Area of Osogbo, Mr Lukman Olaadura, told NAN that buyers of
cow bones come for it from as far as Republic of Benin.
Olaadura said that the price of the cow bones was moderate and affordable, which according to him, continues to endear the people to the place.
He said, “people come to get the cow bones, in fact, people used to come from Cotonou (Benin Republic) because it is not that expensive here.
“We can sell everything we generate for the whole month for three thousand naira, you know it is also a good way of getting rid of our
refuse which we would have been spending money to dispose.”
Similarly, Dr Tolu Bewaji of the Department of Animal Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said animal bones as a by-product could be used as a raw material in the production of ceramic plates which cost the country billions of naira to import every year.
“The usage of the animal bones as a raw material has a dual advantages, aside the industrial benefit, it will go a long way to
reduce environmental hazard, which could have threaten the ozone layer.
“I am enjoining the government to take the issue of agro-allied industries seriously for the benefit of the real sector of the economy
and the agricultural sector as well,’’ Bewaji said.
Bewaji, however, disclosed that those who were using it to feed their fish and chicken were more than those who were using it to produce plates as at present. (NAN)
DOO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha