What is Vermicomposting: Importance & Preparation Method

Table of Contents

• What is Vermicomposting?
• What is the Importance of Vermicomposting?
• What are the Different Types of Earthworms?
  • Anecic
  • Endogeic
  • Epigeic
• Which Materials are Required for Vermicomposting?
• What is the Method of Preparing Vermicompost?
• Why are Earthworms Considered a Farmer's Good Friend?

What is Vermicomposting?

Vermicompost is the mostly used type of fertilizers in India. Vermicomposting method is a type of organic farming that is basically a biotechnological process that converts biodegradable waste into organic manure using earthworms. It is a natural process where earthworms convert waste material into compost. Earthworms can consume any organic matter, where one kilogram of worms can consume one kilogram of residue. That’s why vermicomposting is considered the cheapest and best way to recycle food scraps, agro-industrial waste, household waste, and animal waste from pigs, chickens, and cattle.

What is the Importance of Vermicomposting?

• Vermicompost is sustainable method that reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers, minimizes soil and water pollution, and improves crop yields.
• Vermicomposting better enhances soil structure, increases water-holding capacity, and supports better root development.
• It is also helpful in raising seedlings and for crop production. It also acts as a growth promoter, providing the hormones required for plant growth.

What are the Different Types of Earthworms?

Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic are the three broad categories of Earthworms. Let’s understand each in more detail:

Anecic

These are called burrowing worms, which come to the surface during nighttime to drag their food into burrows deep within the mineral layers of the soil.

Endogeic

Endogeic earthworms live within the Earth, which means they typically have shallower burrows and feed on the organic matter already in the soil, so they rarely come to the surface.

Epigeic

These worms do not have permanent burrows. They live in the surface litter and feed on decaying organic matter. These types of earthworms are decomposers and are used in vermicomposting.

Which Materials are Required for Vermicomposting?

• Earthworms
• Crop residues/Vegetable waste/Farmyard Manure/ Cattle dung/Dried leaves/Waste from agro-industries
• A suitable container
• Shed
• Vermicompost Pit
• Rose cane
• Water supply

What is the Method of Preparing Vermicompost?

Vermicomposting can be done indoors and outdoors, which provides year-round composting. The following are the steps of the method of composting preparation:

• Wooden (mostly preferred due to their more absorbent properties) or plastic containers are used for vermicomposting by drilling 8 to 12 semi-circular holes of ½ inches in the bottom for aeration and drainage.
• Cover the container with a plastic sheet to conserve moisture and keep the worms in the dark. Note that the container should be ventilated for the worms.
• Provide damp bedding, such as cow dung slurry, shredded newspaper and cardboard, shredded fall leaves, etc., for the worms to live in and to bury food waste.
• Introduce the earthworms by covering them with a moist sheet or gunny bags to keep them protected.
• Maintain the temperature and moisture by doing proper maintenance.
• The process may take 1 to 2 months, depending on the waste material and temperature.
• For harvesting, prepare a new bedding and move the compost to one side and add fresh food and water to the other side to facilitate earthworm migration. Now, you can collect the ready compost and let it dry for a few days before storing it in gunny bags.

Why are Earthworms Considered a Farmer's Good Friend?

Earthworms are considered farmers’ best friends because they play an essential role in transforming waste into compost and in maintaining soil quality and fertility, including water-holding capacity, moisture, and nutrient content, by burrowing into the soil. The role of earthworms is important in vermicomposting as they produce the most organic vermicompost, called vermicast, which supports better crop growth. They also enhance the incorporation and decomposition of organic matter, increase soil aggregate stability, improve porosity and water infiltration, and increase microbial activity. So, having said all this, we can clearly say that earthworms are farmers’ best friends, improving soil health and promoting eco-friendly practices that shift to more sustainable farming.