TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION
with ENTREPRENEURSHIP (TLE 2)
Chapter III: AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY ARTS
Lesson 2: Vermicomposting Process
The tremendous increase in population, urbanization, industrialization and
agricultural production results in accumulation quantities of solid wastes. This has created serious
problem in the environment. In order to dispose this waste safely it should be converted
effectively. This is achieved by bio-composting and vermicomposting of farm. It is being increasing
realized that composting is an environment friendly process, convert wide variety of wastes into
valuable agricultural inputs. Compost is excellent source of humus and plant nutrients, on
application of which improve soil biophysical properties and organic matter status of the soil. This
present review focused on vermicomposting and its importance in improvement of soil nutrition
and agricultural crops.
• Identify the advantages and benefits of vermicomposting
• Discuss the principles of vermicomposting
• Demonstrate the vermicomposting process
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
Advantages/ Benefits of Vermicomposting
➢ Improves soil aeration, texture, structure and fertility and reduces soil compaction
➢ Enhances microbial activity that promotes plant growth and health
➢ Serve as natural food for fish, birds and mammals
➢ Vermicompost is an ecofriendly natural fertilizer prepared from biodegradable organic
wastes and is free from chemical inputs
➢ It does not have any adverse effect on soil, plant and environment
➢ It improves water retention capacity of soil because of its high organic matter content
➢ It promotes better root growth and nutrient absorption
➢ It improves nutrient status of soil both macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients
➢ Prevents plant pests and diseases
➢ Accelerates plant growth and promotes flowering and fruiting
➢ Vermicomposting is more effective as an organic fertilizer than ordinary compost
➢ Minimizes foul odor
➢ Minimizes farm inputs
➢ Highly profitable, both the worms and castings are saleable
➢ Turns trash to cash
Principles of Vermicomposting
➢ The production of compost from biodegradable materials with the use of earthworms.
➢ In ordinary composting microorganisms (i.e,: bacteria and fungi) are “decomposers” while
in vermicomposting, microorganisms and earthworms “soil engineers” work together, thus,
hasten the process and gives more quality on the compost suitable for organic farming
➢ Vermicompost does not heat
➢ Vermicompost may be low in NPK but contains essential micronutrients (e.g., calcium,
magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc) not found in “complete fertilizers”
➢ The quality of vermicompost depends on the materials used and the processes applied
➢ Vermicompost has microbial activities that promote plant health and pest/disease
resistance
➢ Compost-feeding earthworms (e.g. African nightcrawler) digest organic matter in their
alimentary tract and produce “sanitized, deodorized and texturized” humus (castings)
➢ Vermicompost consisting of castings and undigested organic matter contains plant growth
regulators (i.e., auxins, gibberelins and humic acid)
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
Eudrilus Euginae or the
African night crawler
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
The Vermicomposting Process
Vermicomposting can be done at the backyard or farm. It can be small-scale using
boxes and drums or large scale for commercial application.
1. Site Selection
2. Sourcing of Materials
3. Preparation of the beds
4. Stocking of Earthworms
5. Care and Maintenance of the Beds
6. Harvesting
7. Packaging and Storage of vermicompost
SITE SELECTION
A suitable area for composting is one that is shaded (earthworms shy away from strong
light), flood- free (earthworms will crawl out of flooded areas), and accessible to water supply and
source of compost materials.
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
SOURCING OF MATERIALS
The materials for composting can come from the farm, garden or kitchen. Farm wastes
such as rice straw and animal manures are available in most rural areas of the country. Dried
leaves and freshly-mowed grass from the garden can be used. Vegetable trimmings and fruit
peelings from the kitchen are good materials.
a. Selection of feeding materials
❖ Identify materials rich in nitrogen: Kakawate, Katuray leaves, Ipilipil, Monggo,
Peanut, Animal manure, and other leguminous plant
❖ Identify materials rich in carbon: Grass, Saw dust, Rice straw, Coco dust, Corn
stalks, and Paper Wood
b. Filing of substrates at the wormbeds:
❖ Mixed Filling
❖ Sandwich Filling
c. Water the worm beds
d. Cover the vermibeds with plastic sheet , tarpaulin, laminated sacks to initiate (anaerobic
decomposition)
e. Remove plastic sheet /tarpaulin or laminated sack after 15 days to lower the temperature
of the substrate (aerobic decomposition)
PREPARATION OF THE BEDS
In preparing the beds (composted materials can be used. Coarse and dry materials like
manures should be pulverized while freshly- sting units), dry fresh cut grass should be shredded
to hasten microbiological action with particle size (1-2.5 cm). For large volumes of materials, use
machines like a shredder is recommended. Scatter vermi at the vermibed at the rate of 1 kg per
square meter.
a. Clean and level the soil
b. Construct wormbeds and “trilis” kind of materials to be used and size of wormbeds
to be constructed depend on choice of the project owner
c. Put empty sacks at the base of the wormbed.
CPSU- Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
STOCKING OF EARTHWORMS
The stocking of worms in the beds can be done by number or weight (biomass). A kilogram
of worms is stocked per square meter of outdoor bed. The number of worms per kilo can range
from one to four thousand depending on the average worm weight (0.25 to 1 gram). Using small
containers, the stocked worms are easier counted than weighed. For large – scale operations,
biomass stocking is more practical.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BEDS
The stocking of worms in the beds can be done by number or weight (biomass). A kilogram
of worms is stocked per square meter of outdoor bed. The number of worms per kilo can range
from one to four thousand depending on the average worm weight (0.25 to 1 gram). Using small
containers, the stocked worms are easier counted than weighed. For large – scale operations,
biomass stocking is more practical.
❖ With proper bed preparation and worm stocking, the vermicomposting period should not
be more than a month
❖ Water wormbeds when necessary to maintain moisture requirement of feeding substrates
and vermin. Maintain a moisture of at least 60%
❖ Protect worms from predatory animals. Cover wormbeds with net or plant leaves to protect
vermi from direct sunlight and predators (duck, chicken, turkey, birds and other animals)
❖ Use physical barriers such wire nets and shield
❖ Conduct regular monitoring
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
HARVESTING
Harvest of vermicompost is done when the most of the materials have been consumed by
the worms. Harvest the vermi, vermicast and vermicompost after 2 to 3 months.
a. Handpicking
Pick the worms by hand, put the harvested worms in a container and transfer them to a
new bed. Sift the vermicompost if finer compost is desired.
b. Pyramid Pile
Pile the vermicompost in pyramid, let it stay for 1 day so that worms will go down the
bottom pile to easily harvest the top part, when bottom portion is reached, worms can be
easily extracted manually.
c. Moving of Contents to one side
Move the contents of the whole bed to one side and fill the other half with new compost
materials. The worms will move to the new food. Harvest the casts/compost left by the
worms.
d. Use of Fresh Food in an onion/garlic bag
Fill an onion/garlic bag with fresh food then bury in the bed for a week. Worms will transfer
in the bag for new food. Empty the bag in a new wormbed. Harvest the casts/compost.
e. Use of Screen
Put screen on top of the bed then put fresh food on top of the screen. Worms will go up
the screen for fresh food. Remove the screen and put it on top of a new worm bed. The
worms will move down the bed for a new food. Harvest the cast/compost in the bed left by
the worms. Note: If finer compost is desired, sift the vermicompost with mesh wire screen.
f. Use of mechanical sorter
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
PACKAGING AND STORAGE OF VERMICOMPOST
❖ Processed vermicompost is packed in bags with 5-50 kilograms each.
❖ Packed vermicompost should be stored in a cool and dry place.
Open the given link below and watch the full video about “Vermicomposting” by
Macmillan in Education India. After watching the video kindly make a reflection paper with not
less than 200 words and must compose of 2-3 paragraphs.
Link: [Link]
TLE2 (TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION W/ ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
By NICEA EUNICE SERVENTO
