Organic fertilizer Business (Earthworm manure)

Organic manure can also be prepared from earthworms if the worms are reared systematically. Manure is a mixture of decomposed compost manure extracted from the worms by feeding them organic matter. The worm is a useful creature. Worms have been reared artificially for a long time and using them to produce worm manure. The food eaten by worms does not stay in the digestive tract for long and does not last long. Only 5-10 portions eaten are used for body use. The rest is expelled out of the body, which is called castings. The granular manure that it eats and digests and throws away as direction is called compost manure or earthworm manure. There are about 4,000 species of worms in the world. Some of them can be reared for vermicomposting.

Importance of earthworm manure -

·        It is a good source of essential nutrients for plants. - The nutrients in this stool are water soluble and the plant can easily absorb the nutrients in it.

·        They increase the number of holes/ porosities in the soil. Air circulation is good.

·        Not only this, cocoons are also found in the cast of worms. Cocoon gives birth to a baby, which is then used to make manure, that is, to eat organic matter. It also prepares manure.

·        The quality of this manure is considered better than other manure as it contains vitamins and hormones.

·        The use of this fertilizer increases the useof chemical fertilizers and also accelerates the growth and development of crop plants.

·        Carbon of worm compost: The nitrogen ratio is lower than that of conventional compost or compost and the nitrogen in it is immediately available to the plant.

·        Since its pH is lower than that of conventional compost, the loss of nitrogen is also less. Due to the same properties of earthworm compost, it can also be used in standing crops.

·        Since this manure is made from farm and household garbage items, it helps to keep the environment clean. Thus, it is also said as environment friendly fertilizer.

·        The worms can be fed by washing and drying them well and mixing them with fish seeds. It reduces environmental cost of feed production.

    If Earthworm is produced more, it can be made into food for duck, chicken etc. It reduces environmental cost of feed production.

 

Details of nutrients found in worm manure:

PH : 6.8

Salt (mmhos/cm) : 11.7

total nitrogen (%) : 1.5-2.1

Nitrate nitrogen (ppm) : 902.2

Phosphorus (%): 1-1.5

Potash (%): 0.60

Calcium (%) : 4.4

Sodium (%): 0.02

Magnesium (%): 0.46

Iron (ppm): 1800

Zinc (ppm): 50

Application rate:

·       Field crops: 5-6 ton/ha

·       Vegetables: 10-12 ton/ha

·       flower plants: 100-200 gm/sq ft

·       fruit trees: 5-10 kg/tree

Economic status of earthworm manure in Nepal:

Vermicomposting is a rising manure business in Nepal. Farmers are nowadays attracted to earthworm manure after getting proper trainings and instructions. It became commercial business for a year mostly popular in urban areas where rooftop farming and gardening is practiced. It is also a source of income for some farmers and groups. They make a small packet and sell it in the agriculture market. It is also a part of research in agriculture too. 

  In a nutshell, we can conclude that earthworm manure can be a potential environment friendly fertilizer business in very near future. 

Sources:

·       https://www.slideshare.net/krishnaSethi1/vermicomposting-118274903

·       https://composting.ces.ncsu.edu/vermicomposting-2/#:~:text=The%20Importance%20of%20Vermicomposting%20Today&text=When%20vermicompost%20is%20added%20to,disease%20and%20insect%20pest%20attacks.

·       Saranraj, P.. (2012). Vermicomposting and its importance in improvement of soil nutrients and agricultural crops. Novus Natural Science Research.