MATERIALS NEEDED
1. Agricultural Waste (Organic Material)
Use a mix of:
Crop residues (straw, husks, stalks, leaves)
Vegetable and fruit waste
Animal manure (cow dung, goat dung — avoid poultry droppings at first)
Dry leaves, grass clippings
Kitchen waste (avoid meat, oil, citrus)
2. Earthworms
Best species for composting:
Eisenia fetida (Red wigglers)
Eudrilus eugeniae (African night crawler)
Perionyx excavatus (Indian blue worm)
3. Composting Setup
A pit, cement tank, or large container
Shade or roof (avoid direct sun/rain)
Moist gunny bags or leaves to cover
🧱 STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS
Step 1: Prepare the Waste
Chop or shred agricultural waste into small pieces for faster decomposition.
Mix crop waste with cow dung in a 2:1 ratio (2 parts waste : 1 part dung).
Pre-decompose this mixture for 15–20 days by keeping it moist and turning it every 3–4 days.
Step 2: Prepare the Bed
Make a layer (3–4 inches) of dry materials like straw or sugarcane trash at the bottom for aeration.
Add the semi-decomposed mixture (about 1.5–2 feet deep).
Step 3: Add Earthworms
Release earthworms on the surface (around 1 kg worms for every 100 kg of waste).
They will burrow down naturally.
Step 4: Maintain the Bed
Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged (about 60–70% moisture).
Cover with wet gunny sacks, banana leaves, or straw.
Maintain temperature between 20–30°C.
Turn lightly every 2–3 weeks if needed for aeration.
Step 5: Harvest the Compost
In 45–60 days, most of the waste will turn dark, granular, and earthy-smelling.
Stop watering for 2–3 days before harvest.
Separate worms by:
Placing the compost in small heaps under light (worms move down, compost can be collected from the top).
Or sieving gently.
🌿 OUTPUT
Vermicompost: rich, dark organic manure high in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and beneficial microbes.
Vermiwash: liquid extract (if you set up drainage) that can be used as a foliar spray.
