The document discusses basic vermiculture techniques, focusing on the African nightcrawler and the benefits of vermicomposting in managing waste. It outlines the needs of worms, such as a suitable habitat, bedding materials, organic food, moisture, aeration, and protection from extreme temperatures. Additionally, it emphasizes the potential products from vermiculture, including earthworms and vermicompost, and their positive contributions to the environment.

1. BASIC VERMICULTURE COURSE
Baguio Vermi Growers, 2011

2. Vermiculture: Culture of Worms
5000 species worldwide
400+ species in the Phils
• Burrowers: live
underground (our
naNve earthworm)
• Surface-dwellers
(compost worms)

3. HI! MY NAME IS
EUGENE
SHORT FOR
EUDRILUS
EUGINIAE
www.vermiphil.com

4. AND I’M HERE
TO HELP YOU
WITH YOUR
GARBAGE
PROBLEM
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5. EUGENE is commonly known as
THE AFRICAN NIGHTCRAWLER
• COMPOST WORMS
• EAT COMPOST AND LIVE
IN THE UPPER 3-4
INCHES OF SOIL.
• FLAT BELLIED, REDDISH
IN COLOR AND GROW TO
ABOUT 1 GRAM ONLY.
• CAN BE CULTURED IN
CAPTIVITY
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6. SOME FACTS ABOUT EUGENE…
• IT IS A TRUE HERMAPHRODITE.
• WHEN 2 EARTHWORMS COME
TOGETHER, THEY BOTH GET
PREGNANT.
• IT IS PERFECTLY EVOLVED SO
THAT EVEN IF YOU PUT SEVERAL
SPECIES TOGETHER, THEY WILL
NOT CROSS BREED.
• WHEN SEXUALLY MATURE
BREED EVERY WEEK AND CAN
PRODUCE 2-10 WORMS PER
CAPSULE.
• 1 WORM DIVIDED BY 2 = 1.
• THEY EAT THEIR WEIGHT PER
DAY
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7. www.vermiphil.com

8. www.vermiphil.com

9. VERMICOMPOST
IS VERMICAST WITH OTHER
COMPONENTS FROM THE
WORM BED SUCH AS
COMPOST, MICROBES,
EARTHWORMS, ETC.
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VERMICOMPOSTING IS THE
PRODUCTION OF COMPOST WITH THE
USE OF WORMS (VERMIS IN LATIN).
IN A SINGLE PROCESS, WE ARE GIVEN
TWO PRODUCTS – VERMICAST WHICH IS
PURE WORM EXCRETA AND WORM
BIOMASS.

10. ABOUT THE
TECHNOLOGY…
• LOW COST
• SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY
• BUT SCIENTIFICALLY BASED
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11. What do worms need?
1. A place to live,
with a
hospitable
environment
Simple to
elaborate,
depending on
the situaNon
Sako technology: Quirino Hill

12. What do worms need?
1. A place to live,
with a
hospitable
environment
Simple to
elaborate,
depending on
the situaNon
Sako technology: Quirino Hill

13. What do worms need?
Recycled PlasNc Containers
Apartment Building in Fairview

14. Recycled plasNc containers
Fairview

15. Worm house, Dontogan

16. Former nursery, Sta. ScholasNca’s Convent

17. Former Pig Pen, Sta. ScholasNca’s Convent

18. Outdoor beds, Good Shepherd

19. Outdoor beds, Good Shepherd

20. Outdoor bed, Leonila Hill

21. Outdoor beds, Loakan

22. Outdoor beds of pig growers, Laguna

23. Commercial Vermi Farm, Los Banos, Laguna

24. Buro-Buro Springs Vermi Farm
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

25. What do worms need?
2. Bedding
Materials that
• Provide stable
habitat
• Maintain moisture/
absorbent
• Provide structure,
allow circulaNon of
air Banana stalks, twigs, horse manure
Dayami, dry leaves, corrugated cardboard
Niyog, fruit and vegetable peelings, etc.

26. What do worms need?
3. Food (substrate)
All organic materials
(nabubulok)
• Hog, chicken, cacle manure
• Pre-composted food scraps
• Garden wastes
• Cardboard, paper
• Egg shells
• Etc
1 kilo worms eat 1 kilo
food per day.

27. What do worms need?
4. Adequate Moisture
Ideal moisture content
range: 70 – 90%.
Need to water during the
dry season.
Maintain good drainage to
avoid flooding.

28. What do worms need?
5. Adequate AeraNon
Worms need oxygen.
Bedding should not be
densely packed, and
should allow
venNllaNon.

29. What do worms need?
6. ProtecNon from
extreme temperatures
• Guard against
overheaNng (above 27
degrees) Ex: Inside a
drum under the sun
• Shade (under the
trees, cover with
leaves)

30. GUARD against: Toxic Components
• Deworming medicines
in animal manure
• Detergent cleansers
• Industrial chemicals
• PesNcides

31. GUARD against:
Pests and Predators
• Chickens and birds
• Ants
• Rats
• Frogs
• Lizards
• Termites
• CenNpedes
• White grubs
• Etc.

32. LIFE CYCLE

33. CALENDAR

34. HarvesNng
• Manual: handpicking of
breeders, and
separaNon of
vermicompost
• MigraNon or self-
harvesNng: feeding on
one porNon of the bed,
so the earthworms
migrate
• Mechanical harvester

35. Products of Vermiculture
• Earthworms: share with
your neighbors, sell to
those interested to buy
• Vermicompost/
vermicast: use in your
garden, grow your own
food or sell to organic
farmers
• A clean and green
environment!

36. ContribuNon to
Climate Change MiNgaNon
• Reduces green house
gas emissions from
Irisan dumpsite
• Organic soil sequesters
carbon
• Promotes the greening
of backyards, successful
home gardens
• Teaches us to care for
the earth

37. www.vermiphil.com
IN CONCLUSION
EUGENE SAYS…

38. www.vermiphil.com
JOIN THE VERMI
INITIATIVE!
YOU’VE GOT
NOTHING TO LOSE
BUT YOUR
GARBAGE

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GOOD DAY!
AND
THANK
YOU!