‘Faeces good for organic crops’

HUMAN excrement is one of the substances which may be used in organic plant production. Faeces are included on the list of the plant and animal origin of fertilisers and soil conditioners from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.

By Josephine Maseruka

HUMAN excrement is one of the substances which may be used in organic plant production. Faeces are included on the list of the plant and animal origin of fertilisers and soil conditioners from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.

This is contained in the East Africa Organic Standard Draft Two report currently under review by stakeholders from the three partner states of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

However, experts told a one-day consultative meeting of stakeholders at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Thursday that faeces can only be applied if they are treated, to avoid contamination.

Moses Kiggundu Muwa-nga, a coordinator with the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda, said faeces must not be directly applied on edible plants, adding that they must be mixed with the soil.

Uganda is among the best countries in Africa involved in organic production.