Conseils Pratiques pour une Utilisation de l’Urine en Production Agricole

This guide provides practical instructions for using human urine as a liquid fertilizer in agricultural production to support sustainable sanitation and food security. It details the nutrient composition of urine, risk management strategies based on WHO guidelines, application techniques, and economic valuations, while providing a framework for developing local guidelines and presenting case studies from various global regions.

• Human urine is a high-quality, nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer that can provide yields comparable to chemical fertilizers. It contains essential macro-nutrients—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)—in bioavailable forms. A general rule of thumb for nitrogen concentration is 3-7 grams per litre.
• The amount of urine produced by one adult per year is sufficient to fertilize 300-400 m² of crops at a level of approximately 50-100 kg N/ha. To prevent ammonia loss and odors, urine should be stored in closed containers and incorporated into the soil as quickly as possible after application, rather than being applied directly to plant foliage.
• Health risks associated with using human urine in agriculture are generally low, provided there is minimal fecal cross-contamination. The guide advocates for a 'multiple barrier' approach based on WHO (2006) guidelines, which includes source separation, storage/treatment, specific application techniques, crop restrictions, and a mandatory waiting period of at least one month between the last application and harvest.
• The economic value of urine can be calculated by comparing its nutrient content to the market price of mineral fertilizers. In Burkina Faso, a 20-litre container of urine is estimated at 0.25 USD, and the annual nutrient value per person is approximately 10 USD. However, the actual value in terms of increased crop yield (e.g., for maize) can be significantly higher, estimated at 50 USD.
• In arid and semi-arid regions, the salt content of urine (primarily sodium chloride) can lead to soil salinization and reduced crop yields if applied in excessive amounts. To mitigate this, the guide recommends diluting urine with water, alternating urine applications with pure water irrigation, and selecting salt-tolerant crop species.
• Risks from micropollutants, such as hormones and pharmaceutical residues, are considered low when urine is applied at doses corresponding to plant needs. The soil environment is more effective at degrading these organic compounds than aquatic systems due to higher oxygen levels, UV exposure at the surface, and high microbial biodiversity.
• Large-scale urine management systems, such as those implemented in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and Vaxholm, Sweden, face institutional and economic challenges. While they provide environmental benefits, the fertilizer value of the urine often does not cover the full costs of collection, transport, and storage, necessitating municipal subsidies or household fees.
• Gender integration is critical for the sustainable implementation of urine-based agriculture. Women often manage household food security and small-scale gardening, making them primary beneficiaries, but they may face constraints such as limited access to formal training and increased time burdens.

APA

Richert, A., Gensch, R., Jönsson, H., Stenström, T.-A., & Dagerskog, L. (2011). Conseils Pratiques pour une Utilisation de l’Urine en Production Agricole. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Book-Stenstrom-ConseilsPratiquesPourUneUtilisationDeLUrineEnProductionAgricole-2011.pdf

Chicago

Richert, Anna, Robert Gensch, Håkan Jönsson, Thor-Axel Stenström, and Linus Dagerskog. Conseils Pratiques pour une Utilisation de l’Urine en Production Agricole. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2011. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Book-Stenstrom-ConseilsPratiquesPourUneUtilisationDeLUrineEnProductionAgricole-2011.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{richert2011conseils, author = {Richert, Anna and Gensch, Robert and Jönsson, Håkan and Stenström, Thor-Axel and Dagerskog, Linus}, title = {{Conseils Pratiques pour une Utilisation de l’Urine en Production Agricole}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2011}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-Book-Stenstrom-ConseilsPratiquesPourUneUtilisationDeLUrineEnProductionAgricole-2011.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }