Re-use options for faecal sludge in agriculture (Co-composting)

Project Duration: From 2004 to 2007 (Phase II)

Geographical Focus: Ghana

Project Description / Background

Farmers in urban and peri-urban areas often respond to urban food and market demands which necessitate intensive production. Cultivation in open urban spaces close to irrigation water sources normally allow a production cycle of 2-3 seasons, for long period of up to 10 years or more. This can only be achieved through the combined use of organic and mineral fertilizers. The use of enriched waste (solid and liquid) products is one of the options to endure sustainable agricultural productivity in urban and peri-urban areas. 

Goal 

The main goal of the project is to test technical options for improving agricultural productivity in the peri-urban areas through recycling of liquid and organic solid waste for crop production and to develop appropriate guidelines for relevant stakeholders.

Specific Objectives - Project Activities include:

• monitor and evaluate the use of raw faecal sludge for agriculture by selected farmers, assess its effects, on the environment (water, soil, crop) and on farmers health  (S1)
  
  
• develop a procedure for the sustainable production of high quality and hygienic co-compost from solid
  and liquid waste including the option of enrichment with mineral fertilizer.
  
• study effect of recycled waste product on soil and crop productivity as compared to other soil ameliorants and provide guidelines for it’s utilization in peri-urban agriculture. (S3)

Partners 

• Swiss Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Department of Water and Sanitation for Developing Countries (EAWAG-SANDEC).

• International Water Management Institute (IWMI) West African Office, Accra-Ghana.

• University of Ghana, Legon-Ghana.

• Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Waste Management Department.

• University of Ibadan Nigeria

Donors

• Programme Solidarité Eau (pSeau)
• Swiss National Centre for Competence in Research
• KEZO, Switzerland