By Umar Nsubuga
Naswirah Nalukwago, a successful rabbit farmer, has discovered an often-overlooked resource in her farming venture, rabbit urine.
Beyond raising rabbits for meat or breeding, Nalukwago has tapped into a lucrative and environmentally beneficial side of rabbit farming, the use of rabbit urine as a fertiliser.
According to Nalukwago, rabbit urine contains one of the highest levels of nitrogen compared to other farm animals, making it a potent organic fertiliser.
“This is because rabbits drink very little water,” she explains.
This rich nitrogen content makes rabbit urine a highly effective natural fertiliser for crops, and Nalukwago shares her knowledge on how to make the most of it.
How to use rabbit urine as fertiliser
For those interested in using rabbit urine to boost their crop yield, Nalukwago recommends a simple but effective formula.
“You should mix the urine with water at a ratio of 1:5,” she advises.
“That means one litre of rabbit urine should be diluted with five litres of water before applying it to your garden,” she explains adding that diluting ensures that the concentrated nutrients are spread evenly and safely across crops without overwhelming the plants.
Nalukwago notes that while she has been using rabbit urine successfully for a while, ongoing laboratory tests at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories are underway to verify and further explore the full potential of this natural fertiliser.
The economics of rabbit urine
Beyond its agricultural benefits, rabbit urine has also become a valuable commodity.
Nalukwago highlights that a 20-litre jerrycan of rabbit urine can sell for as much as sh200,000. For rabbit farmers, this adds another revenue stream to their business.
“Even a few mature rabbits can make a big difference,” Nalukwago says.
She says a single mature rabbit can produce up to 250 millilitres of urine per day, and with five rabbits, a farmer can collect up to one litre of urine daily. This means that over time, farmers can amass significant quantities of this valuable resource, turning what was once considered waste into a profitable by-product.
Calculating the potential
For those looking to get started, the math is simple. She says If a farmer has 10 rabbits, they can collect roughly two litres of urine per day. In one month, that would total to around 60 litres.
“Given that a 20-litre jerrycan sells for sh200,000, a farmer with 10 rabbits could potentially earn up to sh600,000 a month from selling rabbit urine alone” she explains.
A green solution for farmers
Nalukwago is passionate about educating fellow farmers on the benefits of rabbit urine, both as a way to improve their crops and as an additional income source.
“It’s a natural, organic solution that benefits both the environment and the farmer,” she says.
For those interested in sustainable farming, rabbit urine offers a cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilisers, while also contributing to a more diversified and profitable farming business.
With the added scientific backing from ongoing laboratory tests, Nalukwago believes that rabbit urine will soon become a staple in organic farming across the country.
