A Bengaluru-based NGO has scientifically supported Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s claim that human urine is a great source of nutrients and can be used as fertiliser. The Bengaluru-based Arghyam founded by Rohini Nilekani, wife of IT czar and former Aadhar head Nandan Nilekani, has said that a scientific study conducted by University of Agricultural Sciences Bengaluru finds human urine a great source of fertiliser.
In a statement, Arghyam said, “This study provides evidence that human urine is in fact a great source of nutrients and can be used as fertiliser.” Union Minister Gadkari’s urine linked gardening tip had raised many eyebrows and had gone viral on social media. At an event in Nagpur, Gadkari had said plants in his kitchen garden grew exponentially after he watered them with urine.
Gadkari had recently said he had started storing his urine in a 50 litre can at his official residence in Delhi. “An acre of organic farming is possible on the bungalow premises, which even has trees. Urine is a manure which has urea and nitrogen,” said Gadkari. According to an Arghyam statement, the research project on human urine was conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, which was supported by Arghyam. According to this study the application of human urine as a nutrient source has a positive impact on soil properties and plant growth. This hypothesis was tested on three crops - maize, banana and radish, and randomised study design was used that includes laboratory study, field based study, and potted plant study.