Between soaring price of fertiliser and human urine

As the price of fertiliser rises beyond the reach of farmers in Nigeria, it goes without saying that urgent step needs to be taken to address the disturbing challenge. However, human urine remains a good comparison to the chemical fertiliser that we are all accustomed to – though, it’s bound to leave not a few […]

As the price of fertiliser rises beyond the reach of farmers in Nigeria, it goes without saying that urgent step needs to be taken to address the disturbing challenge. However, human urine remains a good comparison to the chemical fertiliser that we are all accustomed to – though, it’s bound to leave not a few really squeamish.

But for the prohibitive cost of fertiliser food production would have edged a notch at least owing to the huge interest by many to try their hands on farming this season.

Our food supply chain is activated by the production activities of the small scale farmers that are scattered across the country who hardly get appropriate reward for their efforts after spending a lot on inputs.

The current high price of fertiliser means higher production cost which will ultimately be transferred to consumers.

Now, human urine is on its way to the list of organic fertilisers available for use. Not a few researches have proved its potency and there is a growing global acceptance. Here in Africa, an entrepreneur in Uganda is tapping into that and is attracting  global attention. Researchers in Niger Republic and their counterparts from Europe have been working on human urine to fertilise the crops and the soil. So far, it has been a roaring success! In fact, Swedish researchers are on the techniques of drying up urine into chunks then into powder then pellets that will fit into farming equipment

The human urine is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium the minerals/nutrients locked in chemical fertiliser which is a result of urea, the organic component in the urine. Human urine has the advantage of reducing environmental pollution unlike the chemical fertilisers.

The government and researchers need to turn their attention towards alternative sources of cheaper and environment friendly fertilisers to our farmers bearing in mind the impact of the prohibitive cost of the input on food production. Soaring food prices isn’t just about food security challenges but also national security. Human urine is free resource and readily available and could be optimized.

 

Abachi Ungbo wrote via [email protected]