Vermicomposting of organic wastes in india
To get rid of costly and harmful fertilizers, vermicomposting of organic waste in India is quite a good step forward to Organic farming.
Composting of biologically degradable organic wastes (agricultural wastes, forest wastes, leaf litter, weeds garbage, animal dung, etc.)by earthworms is called vermicomposting.
Earthworm Species
In India, two earthworm species, Eisenia foetida and Eudrilus Eugenie are being extensively used for vermicomposting. However, there are other species that can also be utilized.
Therefore it is essential that species selected should be first tested for their efficiency/adaptability under local conditions.
Process of vermicomposting of organic wastes in India
Before vermicomposting the organic wastes should be sorted to remove the non-degradable materials like plastics, stones ceramics, etc.
The remaining matter should be heaped, large limps to be broken, spread on the ground, and exposed to the sun for a day or two.
These materials are then heaped, mixed with FYM@500g FYM for every 10-20 kg of plant wastes, and sprinkled with water. After 3-7 days, it will be ready for vermicomposting.
Vermicomposting of organic matter can be done in abandoned cattle sheds, poultry sheds, back yards, or underneath temporary thatched sheds in containers or on the ground.
For this purpose, a 2-3 inch layer of biodegradable material is laid as bedding. Over this a 2-3 inch thick layer of partly digested and powdered cow dung is placed.
The material in the bedding is then sprinkled with water and live earthworms are released.
On top of this, a 7-9 inch thick layer of a mixture of FYM and wastes is placed and watered.
Most gunny bags or hessian cloth is spread over the material as a cover which is kept moist by sprinkling water frequently throughout the composting period.
The first lot of vermicomposting would be ready in 2-3 months which should be removed from the surface and replaced with additional waste material.
The subsequent lots of vermicompost would require about one to one and a half months’ time.
Now you have Vermicomposting of organic wastes and can use in many crops and vegetables.
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