Pre-Implementation Perceptions Among Teachers on the Use of Ecological Sanitation and Application of Human Urine as Fertilizer

Abstract

Although human urine contains nutrients for plant growth, very few community schools in Nepal use a urine diversion dry toilet (UDDT) and apply the human urine as fertilizer in their school garden. Using human urine in agriculture reduces the use of chemical fertilizers, thus saving the expenditure associated with it. Application of human urine improves the soil fertility and may contribute to increased food security among school children if the school can supply the canteen with food for mid-day meals. This study adopted a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach in order to understand stakeholder perspectives and involve them in the planning and implementation of urine diverting toilets. The data for this study were collected from five teachers’ focus group discussions. This paper presents teachers’ perceptions of the urine diversion dry toilet system and use of human urine as a fertilizer for the school garden. Only a few teachers accepted that human urine could be used as fertilizer, however, they were not willing to use it on their crops since it was considered impure. Due to a perceived bad odor and the uncomfortable sitting position on the UDDT, particularly for females, teachers disliked this toilet and they felt using urine as fertilizer was unnecessary. One of the key lessons drawn from the study is that schools, in collaboration with local governments, should employ participatory approaches to understanding and engaging local stakeholders, including teachers, to minimize negative perceptions prior to the application of human urine as fertilizer in the school garden.

Perception and impact of micropollutants in urine-based liquid fertilizer on crop production: A comprehensive review of Eco-sanitation practices

“…Findings show that using urine in agricultural production is drastically influenced by social and cultural restrictions in a way that fails to see farming as an economic activity. Collaborative action, in which groups of community farmers jointly generate new procedures and adapt practices, serves as a very vital tool for social change and negotiation of cultural norms, skills, and taboos that will not negate the use of urine as fertilizer which can otherwise limit the acceptance and spread of urine as an alternative to chemical fertilizer (Devkota et al, 2020). A perception survey conducted by Devkota et al (2020) in a Nepal community school shows that only a few teachers agreed to use urine as fertilizer in their school garden.…”

“…Collaborative action, in which groups of community farmers jointly generate new procedures and adapt practices, serves as a very vital tool for social change and negotiation of cultural norms, skills, and taboos that will not negate the use of urine as fertilizer which can otherwise limit the acceptance and spread of urine as an alternative to chemical fertilizer (Devkota et al, 2020). A perception survey conducted by Devkota et al (2020) in a Nepal community school shows that only a few teachers agreed to use urine as fertilizer in their school garden. However, acceptance of eco-sanitation food products can be increased by using various methods of communication (Cohen et al, 2020).…”

“…However, the use of urine as a fertilizer requires proper management to address concerns about safety and effectiveness. For example, urine from people with medical conditions should not be used as fertilizer due to the potential presence of pharmaceuticals and other micronutrients (Devkota et al, 2020).…”