Vermicomposting: A viable business opportunity in Kashmir

If you are looking to start your own business, why not consider vermicomposting? It’s a great way to reduce waste and help the environment and can be profitable too. This article will guide you through the basics of starting a vermicomposting business, from setting up your operations to marketing your services. There are a few things you need to do if you want to start a vermicomposting business in Kashmir. First you need to do research the market. You need to find out what crops are in demand and what type of fertilizers is best for them. You also need to find out where you can get your hands on Organic waste. Once you have this information, you can start planning your business.    

What is Vermicomposting?

Vermicomposting is a process of using worms to compost organic waste. It is environmentally friendly way to reduce landfill waste and create a nutrient rich soil amendment for organic farming.

The success of vermicomposting business largely depends on the availability of different components:

Land: At least one kanal of land (owned, leased, waste land, residential) should be used for starting vermicomposting unit. Five pits each having the dimensions of about L 30fts x B 8fts x 2.75fts and a store having dimensions 15 x 12 sq ft can be accommodated in the given area.

Organic Waste: Comprising of variety of organic materials such as kitchen waste like (kitchen scraps, fruit and vegetable peels, broken egg shells and avoid using meat, dairy and oily foods), Farm waste (agricultural residues, leaves, grass clippings, farm yard manure avoid using pet waste) and other biodegradable materials like shredded paper and card board theses materials serve as the food for earthworm.

Selection of earthworm species for vermicomposting: The most critical component of vermicomposting is the earthworms as they are the primary workers in the vermicomposting. African species of earthworm namely Red Wigglers (Eisenea Fetida) and Red Worm (Eudrilus Eugenae) are efficient to maintain composting process. This worm has a wide range of temperature tolerance and has very high reproductive potential. They are less sensitive to density pressure and are found to be very efficient species for cultural maintenance             

Vermicompost beds/bin: To obtain the composting process and to create a suitable environment for earthworm’s vermicomposting can be done by various methods. A. pit method B.bed method having dimensions of about L 30fts x B 8fts x H 2.7fts c. and by using HDPE laminated vermibeds.       

Bedding Material: Worms require a suitable bedding material that provides them with a comfortable environment and helps maintain moisture. Common bedding materials include shredded papers and leaves, cardboard, peat moss, straw or hay, aged compost.

Machinary/Equipments

• Water Motor and Fitting Equipments.
• Shovels, Spades, Crowbars, Iron Baskets.
• Dung Fork, Buckets, Bamboo Baskets, Trowel.
• Packing Machine and Weighing Scale.
• Process of Vermicomposting.

Vermicomposting should be done in a cool, moist and shady site. Farm yard manure and organic waste are mixed in the proportion of 3:1 and are kept for partial decomposition for 15 to 20 days. A layer of 12 to 30 cm of chopped dried leaves/ grasses should be kept as bedding material at the bottom of the pit/bed. Partially decomposed  organic waste along with Farm yard manure are filled layer wise for 15 days to make a heap of decomposed organic matter for feeding of earth worms. After rotting of this mixture earthworms are incorporated between the layers of decomposed materials in the pit. Water should be sprinkled immediately after the release of the worms and kept moist by sprinkling of water on daily basis. The covering has to be done with gunny bags and turning of vermicompost is to be done once after 15 to 30 days for maintaining aeration and for prober decomposition. Compost gets ready in 45 to 50 days. The finished product is 3/4^th of the raw material.

Harvesting should be done when raw material is completely decomposed as it appears black and greyish in colour, and water should be stopped as compost get ready. The compost should be kept over a heap and partially decomposed cow dung should be kept under the heap so that earthworms could migrate from compost to cow dung. After two days compost can be separated and sieved for use. The mesh size of the sieve should be around 3.175mm to 6.35 mm.

Multiplication of worms in large Scale

Prepare a mixture of cow dung and dried leaves in 1:1 proportion. Release earthworms @ 50 number /10 kg of mixture and mix dried green/leaves or husk and keep it in shade. Sprinkle water over it time to time to maintain moisture level. By this process, earthworms multiply 300 times within one to two months. These earthworms can be used to prepare vermicompost.

Financial Breakup:

The above calculations are based on the following assumptions:

• 125 kg of worms (Eisenia fetida) are required for 5 pits with 25 kg of worms /pit.
• Cost of 1 kg worms is taken as Rs 2000.
• Total cow dung and other organic waste required for 5 pits is 2000 cft with 400 cft per pit
• One tractor is assumed to contain 40 cft.
• 10 tractors of cow dung fill one pit.
• 1 tractor costs Rs 2500 on an average.
• Annual Revenue Generation.

The above calculations are based on the following assumptions:

• Selling price of vermicompost per MT @ Rs 12500.
• 4 cycles have been considered annually.
• Production of vermicompost per cycle is taken as 45 MT.

Dos and Don’ts

Do’s

• Vermicompost pit should be protected from direct sunlight.
• Worms prefer a slightly acidic environment with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 you can use crushed eggshells to buffer acidity.
• The floor of the unit should be compact to prevent migration into the soil.
• Aeration should be maintained for proper growth and multiplication of earthworm.
• To maintain moisture level, spray water on the pit /bed as and when required.
• Optimum moisture level (30 to 40 %) should be maintained.
• 18 to 25 Degree Celsius temperature should be maintained for proper decomposition.
• Protect the worms from ants, rats and birds.

Don’ts

• Don’t use polythene, plastics, chemicals, pesticides, etc.
• Don’t use 15 to 20 days old cow dung so that excess heat is avoided.
• Don’t start vermicompost unit in low temperature and low rain fall areas.
• Do not add meat, dairy, oily/greasy foods, pet waste or non- biodegradable materials to the vermicompost.                                                                          

 (Author is working as Sr. Soil Scientist, KVK Srinagar (SKUAST-K)