Field trials: cabbage; maize and Irish potatoes, and laboratory testing

To make informed decisions on the viability of developed products, the partners are currently conducting the following:

1. Market studies: A study into the willingness of farmers to adopt fertilisers partly made out of human waste was finalised and the report is available. The study into the willingness of households, institutions and industries to use fuels made partly out of human waste is currently on-going. The studies will provide insights valuable for the marketing strategies of the products.

2. Product research: SCODE Ltd and Egerton University are currently engaged in conducting in-depth research into the safety and quality of carbonised fire-ball briquettes and non-carbonised fuel-pellets - two products with a promising potential. Different ratio's of market waste, saw dust and human waste are converted into briquettes and pellets which will be tested in different laboratories. The bio-fertilisers are also included in the testing. This research will provide valuable information on the suitability of the different products for different target groups.

3: Bio-fertiliser Field Trials: Pre-liminary experiments with Struvite were concluded last year with promising results. In partnership with Egerton University, different bio-fertilisers (compost, vermi-compost, biochar, dried sludge and Struvite) are currently being tested on field crops (using maize as the test crop); horticultural crops (using cabbage as the test crop) and as a soil amendment (using Irish potatoes as the test crop). Field trials and demonstration fields are located in four locations: Egerton University, NAWASSCO's Treatment Plant (Greenhouse); Lanet and Bahati Areas of Nakuru. This research will provide us with a good insight on the potential for these products to be further developed, tested and introduced to the market.

We are excited about the pre-liminary results and look forward to share the results soonest!