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Fertilizer- producing ne-pit fatrine Fecal contamination is a anajar contributor to morality arwong chiliken, The donble-vanlt dry alkstine ‘etilizer family (DAFF) latrine was adapted tom the successful Vietran-ece deuble-vault ltrine by The Cone Mesemericana de Fsindins sate Teenologls Apropiada (CEMAT) in Cuntemsla The ‘Guareenalas call them LASF: farinas shoneras secas familiares Besides cootibuting to an improvement in health by breaking the eycle of Fecal wmtauination and the spread of diseases such as diarea, hepatitis, yr, and parascc infections, the DAFF latrine also provides farmers with fenikzer for their crops. This economic incentive has provided a major breakthroagh for CEMAT in overcoming resistance to Isic use by the Toral popolatian, who believe ‘tat defecatmg m the fields improves the sou's fertiity. Ihe high-quality organie ferliar produced by ‘the DAFF latrine reduces farmers’ costs and helps (o avoid the long-term coviranmental problems caused by chemical ferilizers, Otter advantages of the DAK latrine include the fact that it requirce no digging, uses local materials, doce not pollute seil or water (a hazard of pit latinas), and produces fewer exictocrganians than pit latrines (Choreby reducing the risk of discas). ‘Tee DAFF lamine is an aboveground, two-chamber systan. A portable toilet seat is placed over the ‘pening of one chamber, Bach chamber funnels off ueine into a special container, Tho urine is mixed with ‘water and allowed to sland foc 3 days, at which time i can be used as a liquid fertilizer, Affer eaci, sefecation, wood ash or a mixture of sell and bine is placed in the chamber, This keeps the deposit dry, {hibits odours, reduces the presence of flies, and helps speed ng lo fertitze. The toilet seat is snoved to the campty chamber when the fit is full The first chamber is sealed for 6 months, while heat and evaporation cluninate the moisture, theeeby killing the bacteria. Tbe contents ore transformed into a safe, ich fertilizer. An opening in he back wall of the chamber gives easy access tthe frtinr. ‘During 1992-86, CRMAT trancferred the DAFF latrine technctouy to 10 aatioal and intemational NGOs and five publie ational instntions working in the field of sanitation, At the international love, che technology was transferred o Mexico, the Dorainican Republic, and Panama, At sossion in Mexico. 43 ‘community leaders from seven counties were trained in DAFF latrine teclnology. Late in 1986-87, a survey conducted in Guatemala showed that (6 inssitutions had installed 3000 DAFF latrines in differen parts of ihe comntry. CEMAT has implemented a project to provide support to these ‘goups in the promotion ofthe latrines, tcluding: bow to promote social scceptance; sanitary control and. ‘Maintenance; and research on the pecfommance of the Fatilizer. [National warkshops bave been organized to diseuss the benefits and limitations of tho latrines; videos nd. semonstators have been used o inform farmers, Prerequisites Local materials For building (sol, adobe, brick, cement or stone, bamboo or cane, yrass); availability of ash, Time, or dry organic soil Community involvement and waining is essential for social acceptance. Potential users Rural fanpers anywhere; NGOs and community groups concerned with health premotion and agricultural improvements, The technology is especially useful areas where is ficult to cig pit lcines, cot Coat depends on materials used. The entire uni cam be but with coment, mad, and. grass for less thom ston, Coca Dr Edgardo Caceres Executive Director, CEMAT la Av. 32-21, Z. (2, AP 1160 Guatemala 01012, ‘Guatemala Tei. (502-2) 762355; 162018 Fax: (502-2) 762555 Resources and publications Ficha No. |: La Letring Abovera Seca Famitix, CEMAT, 1990, 37 pp, Updated mannal in Spanish on the building, maintenance, use advamages. and agrouomic use ofthe DAFF larine + LASE = Una (trina para la Familia, Jacobo Schiere, Comte Centra Menonita, Guatemala, 1989, 67 pp.; Usse. Social, Sanitary and Agricultural Cvafuation of Dry Atkaline Family Feria Latciues io Guatemala, CEMAT, 1948, 15 pp. USS2 Molen RED. CEMA. A timssinal Spmistdanguage newsleter dedicated 19 disseminating information 03 appropriate techtology for Lafin Amesican peasams, Subsctiptions (incl ama}; Latin ‘Ame, US 85 pee year: other, ISS per year