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    Chapter 9: Exploiting Agro-Wastes for Sustainable Animal Production Systems and Food Security

    Animal production systems are currently under immense pressure to sustainably produce high-quality food products capable of meeting the nutritional demands of a rapidly growing human population. At the same time, the fate of food and agro-industrial waste determines the state of food and nutrition security worldwide and the environmental sustainability of the agricultural enterprises themselves. Addressing this challenge requires prudent valorisation strategies for these wastes as sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds that can be re-channelled into food production systems. Indeed, contemporary concepts, such as the circular bio-economy and sustainable development goals in relation to food loss and waste, indicate a global desire to reduce and re-use food and agro-industrial wastes for environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Over the years, agricultural and food producers have relied on first-generation disposal strategies, such as incineration and landfill deposition, to manage waste with little regard to environmental consequences. There has been a rise in efforts to protect the environment from wanton pollution caused by these traditional waste disposal methods. Valorising usable food and agro-industrial wastes to support animal production is an alternative strategy that addresses environmental threats and enhances food and nutrition security through the provision of animal products to the ever-increasing human population. This chapter explores how agro-industrial and food wastes can be valorised for use in animal production systems to sustainably improve productivity and product quality and thus contribute to food and nutrition security. We postulate that the utilisation of these wastes to optimise animal production systems is an ingenious, long-term strategy that contributes to improved environmental health, food security, and resource efficiency, which is a critical component of a circular bio-economy.