Human urine is a valuable source of different nutrients that have been used since ancient times to enhance the growth of plants, notably leafy vegetables and is universally available at little-to-no cost (Jönsson et al., 2004). Human urine is widely accessible and inexpensive, and it is a valuable source of several nutrients that have been utilized since ancient times to promote the growth of plants, particularly green vegetables. From ancient times, human urine has been exploited in agriculture, not least in intensive farming systems across Asia, as a significant but underappreciated and underutilized resource for plant fertilization and pesticide control.
While human urine contains significant amounts of major plant fertilizing minerals, it also contains relatively low levels of pathogens. According to Ranasinghe et al., this suggests that human urine could be used as a component of liquid fertilizer due to its high nutrient content and low pathogen content. This lessens the dependence of farmers on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Small-scale farmers in Mukono district concur that human urine contains a wealth of essential nutrients, such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, that are beneficial for plant growth. As urine ferments, nutrients are released that are easily absorbed by plants. In the urine, this mechanism breaks down the organic molecules. In order to improve soil fertility and encourage healthy plant growth, fermented urine can be utilized as a beneficial and natural fertilizer.
According to Wali Christopher, a small-scale farmer and a former extension worker, urine improves soil health when it is administered because it increases nutrient availability and improves soil water retention. He adds that fermented urine contains 95% water which helps the soil to stay moist and endure dry seasons as well. He adds that healthy soils are more resistant to disease, drought, and erosion, promoting long-term agricultural output because the soil stays healthy for a long period unlike where conventional methods are used and deplete the soil because they use hazardous chemicals that kill species vital to the health of the soil.
The use of human urine as a fertilizer and pesticide has proved to have various benefits to small-scale farmers. Farmers agree that human urine is cost-effective, freely available and reduces dependency on commercial fertilizers. It further reduces waste, minimizes water pollution, and lowers the carbon footprint of fertilizer production while improving soil fertility and microbial activity, promoting healthier plant growth and increasing crop yields.
According to a study conducted by Hannatou et al in 2021, on pearl millet panicle output in women's fields and on various local soils is increased by the application of sanitized human urine (Oga), either alone or in conjunction with organic manure (OM), according to a study conducted in Niger with women farmers in two regions (Maradi, Tillabery). Pearl millet panicle yields were examined in large-scale on-farm experiments (N=681) between the control (farmer practice), Oga and OM combined in the first and second years, and Oga alone in the third year. The findings indicated a +30% average increase in panicle production, or +200–+300 kg ha.
According to Kezia Nassozi, a small-scale farmer in Kisoga Town Council, Mukono district, she discovered that fermented human urine together with ash and garlic is a good pesticide in her garden. She applies this on her matooke plantation and brags about eating purely organic matooke. Kezia Nassozi adds that small-scale farmers minimize their exposure to synthetic inputs and hazardous chemicals in order to protect their communities, families, and themselves.
“I use human urine combined with ash to feed my plants in order to get a good produce. I use it as both a fertilizer and pesticide and fertilizer on crops like matooke, coffee, vanilla, maize and soya. I usually use about 2 jerrycans of fermented urine which has been kept for around 2 weeks. This fertilizer is not harmful to human health and plants.”- Kabwama Paul
Irene Nakijoba mentions that her produce from maize has significantly changed ever since she started using human urine on her plants. While still using the inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, she used to get about 3 bags of maize from the garden but with applying the human urine on the maize, she can now harvest at least 5 bags of maize.
They have also realized higher yields of at least an increase of 20kg of coffee and 5 extra clusters of vegetables as well as bigger and healthier banana plants compared to those that use the inorganic chemicals. “My maize yield increased ever since I started using human urine and this is majorly because the inorganic fertilizers I was using before were deteriorating the fertility of my soil. Even the size of the maize cobs would very small but with the use of the human urine there is a very great change.” – Kezia Nassozi
The use of human urine not only encourages the use of traditional knowledge and use of locally available products but also promotes of ease to learn methods for small-scale farmers. “Traditionally, our parents used the locally available materials for fertilizers and pesticides and they lived for quite a long time. We can only preserve such practices to keep the heritage of our parents through passing them to our children as well.” – Irene Nakijoba. Irene adds that preservation of indigenous varieties of plants can only be maintained using Agroecological practices like use of human urine and ash
ESAFF Uganda recently conducted a study on the application of human urine as a fertilizer and pesticide on three specific crops: maize, bananas, and nakati. The results showed that the crops treated with human urine as a fertilizer and pesticide outperformed those that did not receive it.
It was observed that the crop plots treated with fermented urine showed good vigor, resilience to dry spell and yield were significantly positive compared to the plots that had no urine treatment. The leaf area, tenderness, number of branches and lease was amazing, this was made more interesting by the reduction in regeneration and harvest time from 14 days to 9 days for Nakati, for maize the vigor, cob size and seed quality were good compared to those that did not receive urine treatment. For banana treated with fermented urine the vigor, leaf surface area and general appearance of the plants was amazing compared to untreated plants. Given the positive results registered from the use of human urine it is evident that the future is bright for sustainable food system.
ESAFF Uganda believes that if small-scale farmers use human urine as a pesticide and component of fertilizers, they will reduce pest infestation and increase yields and income from their produce. Using urine will also reduce their over dependence on and costs of artificial chemicals. Human urine is affordable, locally available, safe for human use, helps preserve local knowledge and is not dangerous to plant life once applied.
ESAFF Uganda urges farmers and policymakers to integrate the use of human urine as a fertilizer and pesticide into agricultural policies for a sustainable future. Government should further promote research and invest in studies on urine’s effectiveness and establish guidelines for safe collection, storage, and application in order to enhance food security.
Learn how to use human urine as a pesticide and fertilizer:
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