Vermiculture - Earthworms Coming to
the Rescue of Poor Farmers
Vermiculture
is an innovative eco-friendly technology i n which earthworms are
effectively used for waste treatment. When organic waste is put in the
soil containing earthworms, simple compounds are readily degraded by
these micro-organisms. Since earthworms have an aerobic gut, the
majority of' bacteria harboured by earthworms certifies extreme energy
utilisation resulting in more biomass production, which in turn speeds
up waste breakdown to an advanced rate. Plant leafs and bio soil also
play a significant role in vermiculture. While plants absorb the
metabolites of earthworms and micro-organisms, soil atoms serve as the
grinding medium for earthworm and supply plant nutrients.
Vermi
compost is the excreta of earthworms, rich in bacteria and plant
nutrients which is very good for the soil and the plants. This is a one
stroke solution for addressing poor soil fertility, wasteland
development, declining yield, reducing use of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides.
In the
Bundelkhand region in Central India where soil has gotten extremely
degraded by years of chemical fertilizer use, Development Alternatives
has facilitated many farmers to produce vermi compost. This excellent
natural compost is helping the farmers to grow organic vegetables and
improve the fertility of their land. Sale of vermi compost is also
helping the farmers to earn additional income.
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Rishabh Singh
rsingh@devalt.org
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