Abstract
Land degradation and inadequate faecal sludge management are two major issues in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The transformation of human excreta into soil amendments and their wide-scale adoption could improve soil health and contribute to solving the sanitation crisis in SSA. There are however perception challenges around these fertilisers because of the potentially harmful components they contain such as pathogens and heavy metals, which can be removed with appropriate treatment such as composting. A major barrier to the wide scale commercialisation of human excreta derived fertiliser (HEDF) is the unclear regulations surrounding their use. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to the use of HEDF by farmers participating in the horticultural export market with Kenya as focus area since horticultural exports are a major contributor to the country’s economy. Global GAP is the most widely adopted standard for quality assurance of horticultural crops and the use of human sewage sludge is currently not allowed on certified farms. Interviews with stakeholders along the food export chain highlighted the complex interactions that exist between them and showed that Global GAP certified farmers were not willing to use HEDF on their farms even if local regulations recognise treated sludge as a valid input to agriculture. Several countries (like the UK, Sweden, Australia and the USA) created specific certification or assurance schemes to improve public perception of biosolids. The creation of a similar assurance or certification scheme specific to fertilisers made from source-separated human excreta would be a step into formalising them as a product, establishing production procedures, limits on contaminants content as well as testing protocols. Such a certification scheme could increase the confidence of regulating bodies in HEDF and lead to their acceptance by global farming standards.
Highlights
IntroductionSoil fertility and sustainable sanitation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
The production and use of human excreta derived fertiliser (HEDF) in Kenya could help solve the issue of sludge management in urban slums and improve the fertility of organic matter depleted soils
The largest agricultural producers are oriented towards exporting crops and are required to abide by international certifications to be able to trade with most supermarkets, Global GAP being the most widespread standard
Summary
Soil fertility and sustainable sanitation in SSA. It is estimated that 25% of all agricultural land is affected by soil degradation (DeLong et al, 2015). Soil degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa is a major challenge, which is primarily caused by agricultural intensification and expansion (Tully et al, 2015). Limited application of fertilisers in many parts of Africa is the leading cause of reduced crop productivity and depletion of soil fertility (Chauvin et al, 2012; Tully et al, 2015). Soil health can be restored with appropriate measures such as application of organic amendments to increase soil organic matter, essential for maintaining healthy soils (Bationo et al, 2007). An abundant source of organic matter in cities is organic residues such as vegetable wastes or human excreta
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