As concerns over soil degradation and chemical contamination grow, farmers in Kenya are embracing rabbit urine as a natural and sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilisers. This shift is part of a broader movement toward organic farming, driven by the need for healthier crops, improved soil fertility, and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Benedicta Nkirote, a farmer from Marurui in Meru County, is among the growing number of farmers who have adopted rabbit urine as a foliar fertiliser. She credits it with significantly improving her vegetable yields while eliminating the risks associated with chemical fertilisers.
“I use it on my onions and vegetables, and they are healthier than those grown with synthetic fertilisers,” Nkirote explains. Unlike conventional fertilisers, which often contain harmful chemicals, rabbit urine is organic and poses no health risks to consumers. This means vegetables sprayed with rabbit urine can be harvested and eaten immediately, without the usual waiting period required for chemically treated crops.
Nkirote does not rear rabbits herself but sources the urine from neighbouring farmers at an affordable cost—Sh100 for a five-litre container. In some cases, she even gets it for free. However, she notes that freshly collected rabbit urine cannot be used immediately; it must first undergo fermentation for one to two weeks in a sealed container.
“Fermentation makes it more effective and prevents it from burning the plants,” she advises. Once ready, she dilutes one litre of urine with 20 litres of water and sprays it weekly on her crops.
Her transition to organic farming came after receiving training from Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Kenya (PELUM), an organisation that promotes sustainable agriculture. Previously reliant on synthetic fertilisers, she suffered frequent stomach problems, which she attributes to consuming chemically treated vegetables.
“Since switching to organic farming, my crops are healthier, and I no longer experience stomach issues,” she says.
According to PELUM, rabbit urine is a potent liquid manure packed with essential macronutrients that enhance soil structure, improve water retention, and boost plant health. Additionally, it serves as an effective natural insecticide, protecting crops from pests and diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spots.
With its affordability, environmental benefits, and effectiveness, rabbit urine is proving to be a game-changer in Kenyan agriculture. As more farmers embrace organic methods, the future of farming in Kenya looks healthier and more sustainable.
