Vermi composting - creating livelihoods

The disposal of solid waste is a big issue.  More so when all type of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste are mixed.  All such waste land in landfill with consequential cost, forget about a return.  Is there any option for converting waste into value as well as livelihood opportunities?  Yes if one separate the biodegradable waste and convert it into manure.  It is a low cost solution requiring no specific skill.

The industrial township generate lot of organic waste such as waste from tree leaves, grass clippings, cafeteria,  house hold organic waste like vegetables and fruit peels, waste food  etc.  In USA, 30 million tons of food is wasted each year, accounting for twelve percent of all household waste. About 98 percent of that food waste ends up in landfills.

All this could be collected separately and used for composting.  The traditional composting takes more time but worms can make it faster.  In just 2 to 3 months one get rich organic compost manure. Turn to organic living – turn to worm composting.  No additional resources are required.  Worm breed and multiply.  Their population will increase or decrease depending on the availability of fresh waste.

The most common worms used in composting systems are red worms (Eisenia foetida) feed most rapidly at temperatures below 30 C. Temperatures above 30 C may harm them. Therefore, the composting area needs to be under a shed away from direct sun light

The benefits of composing need no elaboration. For soil, it Improves soil aeration, enriches soil with micro-organisms and improves soils water holding capacity.  For crops/ plants, it improves root growth and structure, germination, plant growth, and crop yield. 

In addition there are benefits to local economy.  It creates low skill jobs, needs low capital investment and reduces dependence on costly chemical fertilizers.

There are two approaches.  Do everything yourself within the boundary of industry or township or integrate with the local economy by facilitating a production unit with the involvement of villagers/ local community in the village.  The technical support like training, one time initial cost could be provided by the company.  The compost manure could be sold to the local farmers.  The company could also buy the compost manure for its horticulture requirement. 

  

In India, M.R. Morarka GDC Rural Research Foundation provides support and linkages for vermicomposting and is the only exporter of earthworms from India to Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, etc.  See www.morarkango.com

More information about vermicomposting is available at http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

Please share your experience/ Your views/ comments.

Dinesh Agrawal