Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

Method of preparation of Vermicompost Large/community Scale Vermicomposting

(Large/community scale vermicomposting)

A thatched roof shed preferably open from all sides with unpaved (katcha) floor is erected in East-West direction length wise to protect the site from direct sunlight. A shed area of 12’x 12’ is sufficient to accommodate three vermibeds of 10’x 3’ each having 1’ space in between for treatment of 9-12 quintals of waste in a cycle of 40-45 days. The length of shed can be increased/decreased depending upon the quantity of waste to be treated and availability of space. The height of thatched roof is kept at 8 feet from the centre and 6 feet from the sides. The base of the site is raised at least 6 inches above ground to protect it from flooding during the rains. The vermibeds are laid over the raised ground as per the procedure given below. The site marked for vermibeds on the raised ground is watered and a 4”-6” layer of any slowly biodegradable agricultural residue such as dried leaves/straw/sugarcane trash etc. is laid over it after soaking with water. This is followed by 1” layer of vermicompost or farm yard manure.

Earthworms are released on each vermibed at the following rates: For treatment of cowdung/agriwaste: 1.0 kg/ bed. For treatment of household garbage: 1.5 kg/ bed. The loaded waste is finally covered with a Jute Mat to protect earthworms from birds and insects. Water is sprinkled on the vermibeds daily according to requirement and season to keep them moist. The waste is turned upside down fortnightly without disturbing the basal layer (vermibed). The appearance of black granular crumbly powder on top of vermibeds indicate harvest stage of the compost. Watering is stopped for at least 5 days at this stage. The earthworms go down and the compost is collected from the top without disturbing the lower layers (vermibed). The first lot of Vermicompost is ready for harvesting after 2-2 ½ months and the subsequent lots can be harvested after every 6 weeks of loading.