BGS International Public School
Waste Management
Vermicomposting
Made By:
Aditya Agrawal
Vi- C
Vermicompost
Vermicomposting is a simple
biotechnological process of
composting organic waste
into compost with the help of
earthworms.
What is Vermicompost?
Using vermicompost – as
with other compost - will
improve the capacity of
the soil to retain
moisture. This can
reduce irrigation
requirements with some
30%.
In addition, using
vermicompost has many
other benefits.
Advantages of using vermicompost
▪ Increases water-holding capacity of soil
▪ Reduces salinization and acidification
▪ Reduces soil erosion
▪ Enhances soil productivity
▪ Promotes faster growth of plants, increases
crop yield
▪ Induces resistance to pest and disease
attack
More advantages…
▪ Produces crops with a better taste, luster and
lasting quality, without toxic residues: crops can
therefore fetch a higher price in the market
▪ Microenterprise, generating income at household
level
▪ Easy to produce with low cost
▪ Earth worms (in case of excess) can be used as a
feed for poultry and fish
▪ Reduces the cost of cultivation by providing higher
returns
Organic Ingredients
Vermicompost can be prepared from
all sorts of organic residues.
Examples:
- Dry organic wastes (like sorghum straw, rice
straw after feeding cattle, dry leaves, pigeon pea
residues, groundnut husk, wheat husk)
- Waste vegetables
- Soybean residues
- Weeds
- Sugarcane trash
More sources of material..
- Sericultural residues from silk production
- Animal manures
- Dairy and poultry wastes
- Food industry wastes
- Municipal solid wastes
- Biogas sludge
- Bagasse from sugarcane factories
Any organic material in fact..
Types of Worms for vermicomposting
Non-burrowing types - are used for
vermicomposting. They are red or
purple, live on the soil surface and
help digest 90% organic waste
materials.
Don’t use the pale-colored ones that live
inside the soil and are generally seen in
rice fields. These are the burrowing type which are
not used for vermicomposting since they eat 90%
soil.
Red non-burrowing worms
Places for vermicompost
Vermicompost can be prepared in different
places/containers in a shady area. Some
suggested places include:
- Above ground - in cement rings (~90 cm
diameter, ~30 cm height)
- Above ground - commercial model
- Below ground – in pits 1 meter deep
The Vermicomposting model
The most common commercial model consists of four
chambers enclosed by wall (3 feet height, 5 feet width, total
of 15 feet length). The walls made up of different materials
like normal bricks, hallow bricks, sheets, locally available
rocks.
Commercial model
The Vermicomposting model
This model contains partition walls with small holes to facilitate
the easy movement of earthworms from one chamber to
another. Excess water can be collected by providing an outlet
at one corner of each chamber. This technology reduces labor
cost and saves water as well as time.
Commercial model
Commercial model
Time required for Vermicomposting
Vermicompost is ready in 2 to
2.5 months.
When it’s ready, it’s black,
lightweight and has no bad smell.
Application of vermicomposting
▪ Agricultural Crops: Apply vermicompost
by broadcasting when the seedlings are 12-
15 cms in height and irrigate the field.
▪ Flowers, Vegetables and Fruit Trees:
Apply vermicompost around the base of the
plant, at any stage of development, and
cover with soil. Water regularly.
Precautions before Vermicomposting
▪ Use only plant materials (such as
vegetable peelings, leaves or grass)
▪ Remove glass, metal and plastic
materials from the organic material
▪ Protect against birds by covering the
rings with wire or plastic mesh
▪ Sprinkle water regularly and maintain
moisture levels
▪ Prepare compost in the shade to protect
it from sun and rain
Thank You
Stay Safe
Stay Healthy
