2. What is Vermiculture
Vermicompost is an organic manure (biofertilize)
produced as the vermicast by earth worm
feeding on biological waste material; plant residue. Earthworms are small, soft, cylindrical
bodied invertebrates that play a vital role in soil ecosystem maintenance. Earthworms greatly
influence soil properties and cast production, which results in the continuous turnover of the
soil and mixing of minerals and organic constituents. Worms that live in the soil are the
farmer’ and gardener’s friends. Vermi compost, the end product, is extremely useful for
enriching and fertilizing the soil. It is odorless and safe to handle. It is rich in hormones,
antibiotics and vitamins that produce healthy plant growth. Although its nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium values are not as high as for chemical fertilizers, it is a multipurpose
compost that provides all the ingredients needed to improve most soils and is much
better for the environment as well. Vermi compost is also seven times richer than compost
that has been rotted without introduction of worms, so only one seventh of the quantity is
needed to enrich the soil. Tests in India have shown that vermin compost application can double wheat yields and quadruple yields of fodder. For best effect vermin compost needs to
applied before the growing season over a two or three year period [5].