Tips How To Make Vermicompost



COMPOST PITS :

To begin with one compost pit would be ideal for every 100 ha plantation. The method of preparation of the compost in the pit is as follows :

Dit a pit of 10 M X 5 M and 1.20 M depth. Make leaf litter and twigs available in the plantations into pieces. Organic waste like agricultural residues, vegetable market waste, cow dung, farmyard manure, sugarcane bagasse can be filled up in layers. Apply cow dung slurry and area solution. A thin layer of local soil over each layer will provide the required soil microbes. Cover the pit with soil. Wet the pit periodically to facilitate early decomposition. Decomposition process may take 45-60 days. Fully decomposed material is warm and does not omit bad odour.

VERMICOMPOST

Vermicompost is the excreta of the earthworms, on digesting the organic wastes. Vermicompost brownish or blackish in colour, and is odourless and granular in texture. Earth worms feed on agricultural waste, castor and groundnut residues, coir dust, sugar cane bagasse , household wastes vegetable market wastes, poultry wastes etc. These organic wastes are passed through the digestive system of earth worms and come out as excreta compost. The humous contain a high percentage of humic and folic acids that facilitate immediate availability of nutrients of plants. Vermicompost improves the texture and composition of soil. It also acts as a biological insecticide thereby controlling the harmful soil pathogens and insects. Its application will improve the water retention capacity and aeration of the soil, besides biodynamic action which increases the organic functions of plants.

It view of these advantages the benefits o the plant with the application of vermicompost in addition to avoiding ill effects due to application of chemical fertilizers, it is our responsibility to encourage the usage of compost in our plantations. Therefore, the Regional Manager and the General Manager are advised to establish one vermicompost unit in each center / Range. A brief account on vermicompost is detailed below :

( A ) EARTHWORMS :

Earthworms are classified into 2 categories : ( 1 ) Manuring Worms ( 2 ) Soil Procuring Worms. Manuring worms are 2 types