This document provides information on vermicomposting, which is the process of using earthworms to turn organic wastes into compost. There are over 4,000 species of earthworms, with three commonly used for composting - red worms, manure worms, and Indian blue or African night crawlers. The vermicomposting process involves selecting a shaded area, sourcing materials like farm or kitchen waste, preparing beds, stocking with worms, and harvesting compost after about a month. The final vermicompost product is a valuable fertilizer that can be used in nurseries, farms, orchards, and landscaping.

1. VERMICOMPOST
PRODUCTION
Presented by:
For. Delia B. Agunoy

2. More than 4,000 species of
earthworm known to man
-over 400 native and
introduced species.
-3 spp. are for composting

3. • The three basic requirements for
aerobic composting are:
• the carbon nitrogen (C/N) ration of
the compostible materials, water, and
oxygen.

4. KIND OF EARTHWORMS
FOR VERMICOMPOSTING
• the red worm (Lumbricus rubellus) and
Manure worms (Eisenia foetida) which are
common in temperature countries like the
United States and Canada and the Indian
blue (Perinyx excavatus) and African
Night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeneae) which
are used in tropical countries in Asia and
Africa.

5. The Vermicomposting
Process
• Site Selection A suitable area for vermicomposting is one that is
shaded (earthworm shy away from strong light) flood free (earthworm will
crawl out of flooded areas) and accessible to water supply and source of
compost materials.

6. • Sourcing of Materials -The materials for composting can
come from the farm, garden or kitchen

7. • Preparation of the Beds. In preparing
the beds (Composting units) dry or fresh
materials can be used. Coarse and dry
materials like manures should be
pulverized while freshly cut grass should
be shredded to hasten microbiological
action with smaller particle size (1-2.5
cm) For large volumes of materials,
mechanical shredder is recommended.

8. • The prepared materials are placed in composting
units or outdoor beds measuring 1 x 2 meters, 2 x
10 meters or larger. A canopy (natural or
artificial) for the units is recommended to
protect the beds from direct sunlight and heavy
rains. To facilitate drainage, the beds should have
no bottom linings. Bed sidings made of hollow
blocks or wood are necessary for containment.
Such sidings can be 30 to 60 centimeters high

9. Stocking of Worms
A kilogram of worms is stocked per square meter of outdoor bed

10. Maintenance of Beds - With
proper bed preparation and worm
stocking, the vermicomposting
period should not be more than a
month
Harvest and Processing of
Vermicompost

11. Harvesting
• A pyramid pile of composted
• Hand picking of earthwor
• Manual Screeningof Vermicompost
• Packaging and Storage of
Vermicompost
Manual Screeningof Vermicompost

12. Analyses, Marketing and
Use of Vermicompost of
the roduct
• MaterialsC/N RatioMaterialsC/N
RatioHumus10:1Dried leaves60:1Fresh
manure14:1Rice hull60:1Food waste15:1Rice
straw80:1Vegetable waste15:1Sugar cane
trash150:1Grass
clippings19:1Paper170:1Rotted
manures20:1Sawdust500:1Legumes25:1Wo
od700:1Fruit waste35:1Corn stalk60:1

13. • Sample of mixture for Earthworm
production
• 25 kilos of rice straw
• 75 kilos of fresh manure
• For breeding
• 75% pig manure
• 25% rice straw other biodegradable

14. Target for marketing
• Nurseries
• Farmers
• Landscape
garden
• Orchard
• Reforestation
• Farm land

15. Waste NO MORE
WASTE NO TIME
Thank you. . . . . . .