Research Findings Recommend Increased Awareness Campaigns on Humanure-based Sanitation Practices
A study and research report has recommended the need for continual research, development and implementation of awareness campaigns focusing on institutional workers and students to enhance their understanding of humanure-based sanitation practices which include use of treated human waste as a manure to improve agriculture and subsequently help address the issue of improved sanitation brought about by untreated fecal matter.
This is after the report indicated that 75 percent of the 335 respondent who were involved in the study revealed that they were not aware of the Green Toilet System (GTS), a technology that seeks to use Urine Diversion Dry Toilet (UDDT)
Titled “Assessing the farmers perceptions towards the use of humanure in Tharaka Nithi and Kajiado Counties for agricultural sustainability” the study which was funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) further recommends fostering of environmental stewardship through close collaborations between the workers and agricultural extension services to further engage farmers in sustainable agricultural practices that utilize humanure (treated human waste).
The study, informed by the escalating global concerns about environmental degradation and resources scarcity, sort to explore factors affecting the uptake of UDDT technology termed as The Green Toilet System (GTS), seeking to understand the factors influencing adoption of the technology from the point of deposition of the feces in the UDDT to the final humanure output.
The report which focused on gender, design, attitude, awareness and perception of the people on the new technology noted that 50 percent of respondents raised concerns on exposure to communicable diseases arising from how the excreta is handled while a percent of farmers were reluctant on adopting and using human manure for agricultural purposes. This, the report identified, is as a result of deep-rooted cultural and psychological barriers that that must be addressed to promote sustainable use of this manure for agricultural purposes.
Eng. Simon Ndeweni, a Water and Wastewater expert from Kenya Water Institute who led a consortium of other researchers in conducting the study noted that there was the need for in-depth research and advocacy for the integration of humanure management practices in local and national sanitation polices to help advance its environmental and agricultural benefits
“There is the need to encourage community-driven initiatives for the proper collection, treatment and utilization of humanure involving local leaders and influencers.” Eng. Ndeweni is quoted.
The report which is published on KEWI website and in the International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences (IJRSAS) an internationally peer reviewed, open access journal that publishes journals and books can be accessed via https://shorturl.at/AKL57