Pearl Millet By-Products as Clean Household Energy
Implications for Climate Change Resilience in Yobe State, Nigeria
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Abstract
This review assesses the viability of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) by-products as a renewable household cooking fuel in Yobe State, Nigeria, and explores how their utilisation can contribute to climate change resilience in a semi-arid context. A narrative literature review was conducted using sources retrieved from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and institutional reports, with studies selected based on their relevance to biomass energy, agricultural residues, and comparable semi-arid or sub-Saharan African contexts. The review synthesises evidence on the agronomic significance of pearl millet, the physicochemical and energy characteristics of its residues (husks, stalks, and bran), and their suitability for briquette production. Findings indicate that pearl millet by-products possess calorific values ranging between 13 and 18 MJ/kg, making them viable alternatives to firewood and charcoal when densified into briquettes. Their utilisation offers environmental benefits including reduced deforestation, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improved agricultural waste management. Socioeconomic advantages include local income generation, reduced household fuel costs, and enhanced gender equity through decreased fuelwood collection burdens. However, adoption is constrained by limited technical knowledge, absence of formal policy support, inadequate financing mechanisms, and insufficient localised emissions data. The review concludes that harnessing pearl millet by-products through decentralised briquetting systems, integration into national renewable energy frameworks, and targeted capacity-building represents a practical and context-appropriate pathway for promoting clean energy access and strengthening climate resilience in Yobe State and comparable semi-arid regions of West Africa.
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