VERMICOMPOST,A PROCESS OF MAKING WEALTH FROM WASTE.

Vermicomposting is a biological process of converting solid wastes of animals and plants into rich manure through the action of earth -worms. It is a mixture of worm casting (faecal exertions ), organic material including humus, live earth worms their cocoons and other organisms. IMPORTANCE / ADVANTAGES: 1. Huge quantities of domestic, farm and household can be converted into valuable compost which otherwise goes un -utilized. 2. Vermicompost Can be produced near to the site of use.3. Vermicompost is rich in nutrients and growth hormones thereby it enhances productivity and improves soil health.4. Due to its granular form it can be used easily at any stage of the crop. METHODS OF VERMICOMPOSTING : The main components for Vermicomposting are listed below :- 1. Dung 2. Organic waste (farm waste, garbage, vegetable waste, leaves etc.) 3. Earth worms or vermi-culture. Select a site which is not in use, shady and slightly raised places were there is no water stagnation . Construct a concrete pit of 30ft length, 8ft breath , 3ft height. The unit should be covered with a raised roof. Roof can be erected on local material covered with tin sheets /abestos sheets / local thaching material. Divide the unit in 12 rows of 2.5 ft each , alternate rows could be filled by compost material. It is not necessary to erect walls to divide compost unit in rows. 1st layer:- a 3 inch layer of broken bricks or pebbles are laid at the bottom. 2nd layer:- a 3 inch thick layer of coarse sand is laid over the first layer of broken bricks. 3rd layer :- over the sand layer a 3 inch thick layer of loamy soil is spread. Over this layer spread a layer of decomposable material like paddy straw, dry leaves. Sprinkle sufficient water to make it moist. 4th layer:- introduce the earth worms about 1-2kg's of vermi-culture containing 500 -1000 earth worms. This culture will also contain cocoons and eggs. 5th layer :- the worms are then covered with cow Dung.keap the cow Dung moist. 6 th layer:- on the cow Dung spread keeps of 5 -10 cm's thick layer of dry leaves , kitchen waste etc . To these pits regularly sprinkle water for 20- 25 days. 7th layer:- on 26 day onwards spread 5-10cm's layer of waste and cow Dung twice a week till the pit is filled and sprinkle water daily(give one turning a week ,if required keep wet gunny bags over the heaps .) 8th :- after 40-45 days when vermicompost is ready stop sprinkling of water for 2-3 days. 9th:- take out compost form the pit and keep it in heaps till it is slightly dry. Sieve it through 2mm sieve. The compost so prepared must have 20-25% moisture. Always dry in shade. 10th :- the sieved compost is filledn in the bags as per requirement. PRECAUTION 1. After properly filling ,the pit should be covered with jute bags which should kept wet so that remains moist 2. Protect the verm-compst pits from sun,rain frogs and poultry birds. 3.fill the beds lightly to maintain aeration 4. Protect beds form frost and chilly winds. 5. Do not cover verm-compst heaps or pit with plastic sheet as if may trap heat and gases. 6. Avoid try and water logging conditions. Dry conditions kill worms and water logging condition drive them away 7. Here's Dung due to risk of tetanus virus, lethal for human beings is not advisable to be used as feeding material for earth worms. A space of about 30ft can provide about one quintal of vermin-compest METHOD OF APPLICATION Vermicompost Can be applied in any crop at any stage. It is more beneficial if it is mixed in the soil after broadcasting. Vermicompost Can be used for growing cash crops like vegetables, fruit plants, ornamental plants, etc. REARING OF EARTH WORMS :- Earth worms can be bread in farms and court yards to provide organic manure. Select a place away from direct heat , strong sunlight and incessant rains. A pit 2' ×2' & 1ft deep can be used to rear earth worms. The pit should be lined with PVC Sheet to prevent escape of earth worms. Earthen pots, brick cement tank or wooden bowl can also be used.The pit is filled with four layers of bottom layer should be filled with 2 inches rice husk,2nd with saw dust,chopped rice or wheat. The 3rd layer 6-8 '' with cow Dung,great foliage,vegetable remains,discarded parts of fruits,scares of card board etc.relase about 100 earth worms at top. After earth worms start penetrating towards bottom and when they disappear, cover surface with jute bags and keep them wet. Sprinkle water over jute bags judiciously to keep them wet. After 4-5 weeks production of heat in the pit will cease and manure is ready. Then manure may be taken out from the pit and placed on polythene sheet by making pyramid like heap. This will induce the earth worms to remain at bottom and can be separated carefully. From one pit 50kg's of manure can be produced and earthworms produced can be used for producing more vermicompost.

Contributed by
Mr Tariq Radoo 
Agriculture officer 

J&K Govt . 

Tariq_radoo@yahoo.in