Focus

Water and Waste Reuse Potential in Urban Agriculture

Inappropriate waste management is considered to be one of the most serious and imminent environmental causes for the deplorable environmental conditions in many cities of developing countries. Faecal sludge and solid waste contain both dangerous pathogens and valuable agricultural nutrients. Urban agricultural activities are likely to enhance the public health situation by providing more food and a diverse diet. It can also improve resource management, as it reuses nutrients and organic matter contained in liquid and solid waste. The documents listed below provide background information on agricultural and health aspects of waste reuse in urban and peri-urban agriculture:

Sandec's Objectives

To fill the gaps in knowledge pertaining to the links between urban agriculture and environmental sanitation, Sandec has initiated, in collaboration with our local partners in the South, applied research activities on the potential and limitations of the use of different waste products in urban agriculture. Our focus is placed on the following issues:

a) Quantification of nutrient and organic matter demand as a function of different crops, soil types and geographic conditions in urban settings.

b) Storage, mixtures, application rates, and handling precautions of waste-related soil improvers.

c) Economic importance/potential of waste reuse and nutrient sources on crops and soils.

d) Transmission of diseases and hazardous substances from crops and animals to consumers during food consumption, as well as from wastewater, solid waste and animals to urban farmers during agricultural activities.

e) Integration of urban agriculture in to a regional waste management context.