Nitrified Human Urine as a Sustainable and Socially Acceptable Fertilizer: An Analysis of Consumer Acceptance in Msunduzi, South Africa

Benjamin C Wilde,Johan Six,Andrew E Okem,Eva Lieberherr

doi:10.3390/su11092456

Benjamin C Wilde, Johan Six + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092456

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Apr 26, 2019
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: ETH Zurich, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Sustainable smallholder farming is contingent on fertilizer access. Soils across Africa are typically nutrient deficient, a condition exacerbated by long-term nutrient mining. Nitrified urine fertilizer is a nutrient-rich and hygienically safe solution derived from human urine. It has the potential to provide a sustainable source of soil nutrients to low and middle-income countries struggling with food insecurity challenges. This study presents findings of a survey that assessed public acceptance within Msunduzi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa towards the use of nitrified urine fertilizer. Results indicate that in general attitudes were much more positive towards the use of nitrified urine fertilizer than raw urine as a soil amendment. Residents living within rural zones of the municipality (78.5%), as opposed to urban (65.7%) and peri-urban (65.2%), and younger individuals within the sampled population were found to be the most receptive to the use of nitrified urine fertilizer. Our findings also underscore the complex set of factors that shape attitudes towards a topic such as the use of human waste as a fertilizer, which are crucial in shaping the legitimacy of an emerging technology such as urine nitrification.

Highlights

Smallholder agricultural production is ubiquitous across Africa
We focus on consumer acceptance to capture attitudes towards the use of nitrified urine fertilizer (NUF) as a fertilizer
To assess consumer acceptance of NUF in Africa, we focused on Msunduzi, South Africa, a region that is considered representative of how cities across the continent will likely develop in the coming years [16]

Summary

Introduction

Smallholder agricultural production is ubiquitous across Africa. These systems serve as a means of increasing available supplies of food for both subsistence and to diversify revenue streams [1]. From rural to peri-urban and even into urban areas of human settlements on the continent, smallholder production is an important livelihood strategy and provides a key buffer to price volatility, long distances to markets, and low incomes. Soils across the region are typically nutrient deficient, a condition exacerbated by long-term nutrient mining [2]. This biophysical reality impedes the sustainability of smallholder farming as a livelihood strategy

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Conclusion