FARMING, EXCRETA AND HEALTH IN TAMALE METROPLITAN AREA-AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE

Poverty and the rising cost of synthetic fertilizer have compelled backyard gardeners to resort to wastewater irrigation and excreta fertilization in Tamale. Research has indicated that soil texture and nutrients are improved greatly if sludge and wastewater are used for crop production because excreta contain all the nutrients needed for plant growth but may be supplemented for potassium. Infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasites (worms) are found in sludge. Three methods were used by the farmers: Surface spreading method-55%; Pit method-17%; and Spot method-28%. Those who apply four trips of excreta per acre acquired more yield (15 bags/acre of maize) than those who applied less than four trips of faecal sludge. Keywords: Pathogens, Excreta, Hazardous, Bacteria, Compost, Plough, Cespit tank