Hope for agroecological farmers: Scientific Research supports urine-based weed management as safer alternative to glyphosate
For years, the Ghana Agroecology Movement (GAEM)—a Civil Society Organisations-led platform facilitated by CIKOD, ActionAid Ghana, and the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG)—has championed the cause of natural farming. But advocacy without hard evidence, they realised, could only go so far in influencing national agricultural policy.
Ghana's Agroecology Movement and the Okuafopa Agribusiness Centre of the University of Energy and Natural Resources recently tested fermented human urine as a natural herbicide. The initiative aimed to provide scientific evidence to support the claim that this method could be a safer alternative to synthetic herbicides like glyphosate.
Researchers led by Kwadwo Gyasi Santo conducted a comprehensive study to assess the effects of fermented human urine on weed suppression, crop performance, soil health, and heavy metal concentrations. The results indicated that the urine did not negatively impact soil properties or carrot quality, and effectively suppressed weeds.
This validation came after years of advocacy by the GAEM, which highlighted the risks associated with synthetic herbicides, including environmental damage, health risks, and declining soil health. A farmer named James, who had nearly died from exposure to synthetic chemicals, inspired the study by successfully using fermented urine on his farm.
The research findings have been well-received by agricultural officials, but there is an urgent need to move from research to wider adoption.
Written by urgent.news from Joy Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
