30 Apr Vermicomposting: an Eco-friendly approach for Sustainable Farming
वर्मीकंपोस्टिंग अनवरत या सतत खेती के लिए एक पारिस्थितिकी-अनुकूल दृष्टिकोण Vermicomposting is a modified and specialised method of composting - the process uses earthworms to eat and digest farm wastes and turn out high quality compost in two months or less. Vermicompost is not a biofertiliser as is touted by some, merely improved compost. Vermicompost can also be used to make compost tea. Vermicompost tea is useful as a prophylactic against pests and diseases, for pest repelling and as a foliar spray. A by-product of vermicomposting called vermiwash (which can be collected if there is a tap at the base of the vermicompost tank) also serves the same purpose.An important point to note in case of vermicomposting but widely ignored, is to carry out proper sieving of the compost before applying it in the fields. The most efficient and widely-used earthworms in vermicomposting are not indigenous and if the worms and casts find their way to the fields, they will quickly colonise and dominate the local species. Farmers can also use indigenous earthworm species, collecting them from their fields using collection baits and introducing the earthworms into heaps. In the usual way vermicomposting is practiced in India and most other places around the world, it is both labour-intensive and requires some infrastructure....