Bukoba — Farmers in Bukoba rural will soon start using sanitised human waste to fertilise their crops, an official has said.

Kagera Development and Credit Revolving Fund (Kadetfu) executive director Yusto Muchuruza told The Citizen recently that the idea follows the introduction of the ecological sanitised toilets commonly known ecosan. Ecosan toilets are built in such a way that human solid waste is separated from urine and treated by wood ash to remove the offensive smell by killing the most harmful pathogens. Experts say the separated and treated faeces are very useful as soil conditioners, while treated urine could be used as an insecticide.

"Most nutrients needed and used in fertilisers are contained in human urine and faeces. These have proved to be very useful in improving agricultural yields in places where Ecosan toilet products had been applied," said Mr Muchuruza. He also said the introduction of ecosan toilets was ideal for schools and other communities with very large populations. The toilets are reusable, permanent and require no replacement especially for areas with limited land. Four villages in the district have initially been earmarked for the Ecosan toilet project.

These are Mulaya, Rwagati, Kyema and Kanazi. In Kagera region a demo Ecosan toilet has already been built at the Kashozi secondary school to pave way for the construction of more such toilets in four villages of Katerero ward. A Kenyan environmental organisation, only identified as Osienala, is funding the constructions.