Alternate Income:
Vermicomposting is an excellent source of alternate income for farmers. The compost after drying can be sold to nearby farming community. Similarly, the worms can be sold to other farmers who are interested to start vermicomposting in their farms. It is a good thriving, all-season business for entrepreneurs that involves minimum investment and labour with maximum benefits.
Materials Required for 12*4*2 (ft) Vermi bed:
- Decomposable organic wastes such as animal excreta, kitchen waste, farm residues and forest litter are commonly used composting materials.
- In general, animal dung mostly cow dung and dried chopped crop residues are the key raw materials.
- Mixture of leguminous and non-leguminous crop residues enriches the quality of vermicompost.
- Earthworms.
Vermibed Preparation
- Installation of Vermibed.
- Add neem leaves to the base of the bed as 1st layer.
- Add Rice/Ragi husk as 2nd layer for earthworm aeration purpose.
- Spray water to 2nd layer.
- Add dry cowdung as 3rd layer.
- Add chopped dry straw as 4th layer and spray water.
- Add dry cowdungas 5th layer and spray water lightly.
- Add chopped dry straw as 6th layer and again spray water.
- Repeat steps number 07 & 08 alternatively till the bed is filled.
- Water to be sprayed after completing bed preparation and then release worms uniformly into the bed.
- Cover bed surface with gunny bags to retain moisture in the bed.
- Keep spraying water on regular basis to maintain adequate moisture in the bed.
- After following the above steps, vermicompost is ready to be harvested in 60-70 days from installation.