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.
A Ghanaian agroecology movement recently gained scientific backing for a unique approach to weed management. The Ghana Agroecology Movement (GAEM), supported by CIKOD and ActionAid Ghana, commissioned a study at the University of Energy and Natural Resources' Dormaa Campus. Researchers evaluated the efficacy of fermented human urine as a natural herbicide, selecting carrot as the test crop due to its sensitivity to soil conditions.
The results were clear: the urine did not negatively impact soil properties or carrot quality, while effectively controlling weed growth. The lead researcher, Kwadwo Gyasi Santo, emphasized that the findings vindicated farmers' anecdotal evidence of using urine instead of synthetic herbicides like glyphosate. The motivation behind the research came from the movement's members, particularly from a farmer who nearly lost his life after using synthetic chemicals.
Inspired by this personal tragedy, the farmer started experimenting with fermented urine, which ultimately saved his crops and soil. Now, the movement is urging policymakers and stakeholders to support the adoption of this safer, evidence-backed alternative to synthetic herbicides.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
