A crash course in changing the world.
The method of preparing compost with the help of earthworm as natural bioreactor is known as vermicomposting. It is an essential part of organic farming or biodynamic farming. Apart from producing nutrient rich compost in a short period of time, vermicomposting also helps in effective and ecofriendly recycling of waste materials. Almost any waste material can be converted into vermicompost except glass and polythene. Industrially either Modular or Windrows methods are used prepare vermicompost. However, initial investment in Modular method is very high. On the other hand, Windrows method is highly economical and easy to adopt. For industrial vermicomposting, two types of exotic earthworms are preferred: Eisenia foetida Sav. (red worm) and Eudrilus eugeniae Kinb. (brown and red to dark violet worm).
Large array of materials such as animal dung, agri-wastes, forestry wastes, waste paper and cotton cloths city refuge, kitchen wastes, biogas slurry, agro-industrial wastes of food processing, distillery can be used as feedstock for vermicompost. Pre-treatment of raw materials is required for certain wastes. Windrows can be developed in the garden under the shade of trees. Alternatively, it can be developed on any land free from water stagnation problem with a thatch over it. The Windrows method has been discussed in the paper in detail. Finished product (vermicompost) is dark in colour and can be stored in polythene or plastic coated bags to check moisture loss.
© 2024 Created by Alchemy. Powered by
You need to be a member of Urgent Evoke to add comments!
Join Urgent Evoke