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Increase
the income from farming enterprises by adopting new, appropriate
and conservation oriented technologies under complex, diverse
and risk prone conditions |
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Increase
the income of vulnerable families through the creation of sustainable
livelihood opportunities |
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Promote
self-managed and dynamic local level institutions |
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Create
healthy living conditions for families and communities in the
Kendra’s working area |
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Influence
on research agenda (and policy) to meet the legitimate requirements
of farming communities |
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| Earthworm |
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Lessons
taught us that earthworm is farmer’s friend. But the truth
is that earthworm is soil’s cultivator and we should learn
how to become its friend. |
To
become a friend of earthworm, it is very important to take care
of certain things. Application of poisonous chemicals to the soil
should be avoided. Plants and animal residues should be added regularly
to the soil. |
In
olden days our ancestors adopted natural farming by which they produced
high yielding and harmless food products. At the same time fertility
of the lands was also increased. But through green revolution farmers
switched over to chemical fertilizers and poisonous pesticides.
Even though these measures appear to give high yield, there is a
deterioration of farm lands. Earthworms and microorganisms started
to vanish. |
Because
of the disappearance of earthworms , there occurred a hindrance
for the rainwater to penetrate deep into the soil. Soil’s
aeration also gets affected. If we continue the usage of chemical
fertilizers, lend will be deteriorated environment will get polluted
and there is a chance of occurrence of several diseases in the human
society. |
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Earthworms
are classified into there types based on their life cycle and also
on the basis of depth of holes that they make in the soil in which
they live. |
First
Type |
These
types of earthworms dwell in the upper surface of the soil in within
one feet, and exhibit fast movement. These are called as Epigeic.
These types of earthworms can convert the leaf residues into manure.
These are suitable for Vermicomposting. |
Examples |
1.
Eudrilus Eugenia
2. Eisenia foetida |
Local
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1.
Perionyx excavatus
2. Drawida willsi
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Second
Type |
This
type dwells in the middle portion of soil layer in one foot to two
feet. These are called as Anacic. This type can absorb the inner
contents of the soil and also is able to change the soil structure.
Since they exhibit an upward &downward type of movement, soil
aeration gets improved. |
Example
Local : Lampito mauriti
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Third
type |
They dwell in the soil at a depth of 6ft. they push their wastes
to the upper surface of the soil. Because of their upward &
downward type of movement, they make tunnels beneath the soil. This
facilitates soil aeration and drainage of water. Also facilitates
the availability of sunlight to the roots of crops. These are called
as Endogeic.
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1.
Earthworm is a hermaphrodite.
2. A pair of earthworm lay 100 eggs or cocoons
within 3 to 6 months.
3.
Cocoons resemble the shape of coriander seeds. Thorn like
structure will be protruding from the 2 sides of cocoon. At first
it appears in while color. As growth proceeds, it becomes black
colored.
4. Young worms will come out within 2 to 3 weeks.
5. 3 to 4 young worms will come out from one egg.
They will attain the stage of reproduction within 6 weeks. In this
stage a new growth structure called clitellum’s will develop
on the surface of earthworms.
6. Earthworms reproduce through bisexual reproduction.
7. Earthworms live for one year.
8. They are very soft and don’t have any
defense structures. Their body surface is divided into several compartments.
They lack bones and eyes. Two light sensing organs are present in
front of the body. This organ facilitates the earthworm to proceed
in the light deficient areas. |
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| Food
of Earthworm |
| Plant and animal
wastes, Mucous of birds and Kitchen wastes. |
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Benefits of Earthworm |
a. Because of
their upward & downward movement it promotes soil aeration and
drainage facility during rainy season. Percolation rate also increases.
b. It absorbs the soil residues adding fertility to soil.
c. It prevents soil erosion.
d. Since Vermicomposting is added to the soil, there is a chance of
increase in the population of soil earthworms.
e. Increases the moisture holding capacity and also the irrigation
interval. |
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| Benefits
from Vermicompost Waste |
i. Nitrogen fixing
bacteria’s that dissolves the insoluble form of nitrogen are
largely present in earthworm’s waste. Thus if maintains bacterial
population.
ii. It contains all micronutrients. So micronutrient deficiency gets
corrected.
iii. It also contains growth promoters [that are
needed for the crop growth] such as Cytokinin, Auxin, several Enzymes,
Harmon’s, vitamins etc.
iv. It can control the growth of nematodes.
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| Selection
of site for Vermicomposting |
1. The site should
be a sloppy area.
2. The site should not lot off rainwater.
3. Thatched huts should be raised over the place where Vermicomposting
is done.
4. Plant and animal residues should be made available easily near
the site.
5. Shady areas of trees can be used.
6. If it is done for commercial purpose, transport facility should
be arranged for the marketing of Vermicomposting.
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| Methods
of Vermicomposting |
1. Pit or pot
method.
2. Vermicomposting in open space
a. Composting-aerated environment
b. Under shady areas of trees. |
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Pit
or Pot method |
1.
A cement pot of 6ft length 3ft breadth 2ft depth can be made (or)
3 ft length 3ft breadth 2 ft depth cement pot is practically good.
2.
Stones to be kept at 3 inch or 7.5 cm ht.
3.
Sand should be spread over the stone surface, which will facilitate
the absorption of excess water.
4.
Upper surface of land soil from where earthworm was taken has to
be spread to a ht of 6inch.
5.
After sprinkling water over the soil, cow dung, which is earthworm’s
food, has to be spread to a ht of 2inch.
6.
Paddy straw or green leaf manure and kitchen waste should be spread
over this to an ht of 6inch. Cow dung solution is to be done to
an ht of 3ft.
7.
This has to be done to an ht of 3ft.
8.
Each layer should be of 5-6inch ht.
9.
Water has to be sprinkled in alternative days.
10. On the 30th day, if we put down our hands in the compost mixture
of the pot and there is enough heat (so that our hands can bear
it), then the stage is set ready for setting in earthworm.
11. By making holes randomly in the mixture of the pot, required
number of earthworms can be let inside.
12. Upper surfaces of the pot should be covered with the wire net.
13. PVC pipe should be fixed to the bottom surface of the pot through
which vermin-wash could be collected.
14. Vermicomposting will be ready from 45th day onwards till 60th
day.
15. In the intermediate period, composted waste should be made ready
to fill the pot.
16. Then broken bricks should be spread such that an interval of
3cm is maintained along the sides of bricks.
17. At first earthworms put their waste in between the gaps of the
broken brick. Then they will leave their waste over the surface
of broken brick and will go down.
18. When the waste is accumulated to an ht of 3 to 4 inch over the
bricks, sprinkling of water should be stopped for 2 days. Once the
upper moisture gets dried, the waste can be collected. Thus collection
of waste can be done without any hindrance to the earthworm.
19.
Bricks from the upper layer should be removed out step by step till
a depth of 1 ft is reached. After that bricks are completely removed
and the composted waste is spread evenly to a ht of 1 ft after which
again the bricks have to be spread followed by sprinkling of water.
20. Thus it will take 120 days to take out the earthworms twice.
At that time their number would have been doubled. The excess amount
can be used for the next pot.
21.
Earthworms from the bottom portion can thus be utilized for the
next pot.
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Vermicomposting
in open space |
A.
Under aerated environment |
1. Using coconut husk can make a layer of 5ft breadth, 1ft ht and
desirable length.
2. Over this layer of coconut husk, sugarcane trash can be spread
to a ht of 1 ft and water can be sprinkled over the trash.
3. Solution of Bio-agents is ½ kg Trichoderma Viridis, pseudomonas
fluorescence tot be mixed with cow dung solution and is sprayed
on sugarcane trash so that the trash becomes thoroughly wet.
4. Pegs of 6ft ht should be inserted vertically over this layer
at an interval of 4 ft.
5. Cow dung has to be spread evenly to a ht of 2cm.
6. Over this, green leaf manure is spread; followed by soil and
sprinkling of water is done. This finishes the first layer.
7. For the next layer also, the same procedure is done but tot a
ht of 5ft.
8. Then pegs are taken out and sugarcane trash has to be spread
in order to prevent the evaporation of water.
9. Vapour will come out from the holes caused by the removed of
pegs. This vapour will regulate the heat created in the middle portion.
10. Sprinkle water in alternate days.
11. From 75th day onwards till 90th day the decomposed waste that
is of 5 ft ht will be reduced to a ht of 3ft.
12. At that time when we insert our hands into the holes and if
temperature coincides with human body’s temp. Then the stage
is set ready for letting in earthworms.
13. Trash from the upper surface is removed and earthworms of 500
in number are let inside to a ht of 1ft and are covered with sugarcane
trash.
14. Within 2 weeks of letting in earthworms when their waste is
seen on the upper portion we can collect the compost.
15. Sprinkling of water has to be stopped for 3-4 days.
16. Once the moisture in the upper portion gets dried, earthworms
will go down. Then we can take out the compost.
17. Again cow dung solution has to be spread tot a ht of 2 inch
and covered with trash.
18. Sprinkling of water is done in alternate days.
19. Thus we can produce Vermicomposting within 120 days.
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Note |
Green
leaf manure yielding trees such as Glyricidia, Pungam, Sesbania,
and Casiaseamia are planted around the compost pit. These trees
will give shade to pit and also yield leaf manure for the production
of Vermicomposting. |
Vegetables can be grown along the sides of the pit, which serve
as a kitchen garden. This will also promote cooling environment
over the compost mixture. |
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B.
Vermicomposting under shady area of trees |
1.
A layer of 3ft breadth and 1 ft ht has to be made around the trunk
portion of trees by using coconut husk.
2. Over this layer, well-composted manure has to be spread to an
ht of 2ft.
3. Solution of bio-agents is to be sprinkled.
4. This is covered with sugarcane trash and water is sprinkled in
alternate days.
5. In the second week required number of earthworms is let in and
cow dung solution is spread to an ht of 1 inch & covered with.
6. Earthworms will eat cow dung, which is kept above within 4 days.
7. From the 4th week onwards, Vermicomposting will be seen.
8. Sprinkling of water is stopped for 3-4 days.
9. Vermicomposting from the upper portion can be collected and excess
earthworms can be utilized for the next round of production.
10. This can be done repeatedly.
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Note |
This
should be protected from the menace of rats & birds. |
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Availability
of Nutrients from Vermicomposting |
In
a single day earthworms eat food for 6-7 times. If earthworm consumes
1 mg each of NPK then the NPK content of Vermicomposting will be
6, 7 & 11 mg respectively. |
On the whole by eating food for 6-7 times a day, Vermicomposting
contains 36-42 mg nitrogen, 42-49 mg phosphorous and 66 - 77 mg
potassium. Also contains various micronutrients, which are essential
for crop growth. |
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Production
of Vermi--Wash |
a.
Vermi-wash acts as a growth promoter.
b.
Take mud pot provided with a hole.
c. Bottom portion of the pot should be filled with gravel mixed
sand to an ht of 5cm.
d. The remaining portion of the pot should be filled with decomposed
waste.
e. In this 100-150 earthworms are let in.
f. Over this water is poured inside the pot drop by drop.
g. A bucket is placed below the mud pot.
h. The water will wash earthworms and at the same time collect Hormones
present over their body surface and will come down to the bucket.
i. Collected water resembles tea decoction.
j. This solution can be sprayed to all crops as such or the solution
can be mixed 1-2 liters of water.
k . It supplies various nutrients to crops thus acting as a growth
promoter.
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i.
A kg of earthworm eats 5kg green leaf manure or waste per day. For
this 40-50% moisture is required.
ii. 800-1000 earthworms will be found in one kg.
iii. A kg of earthworms will lay 2000-5000 eggs within a week. Adults
will emerge out within 6-8 weeks.
iv. Adults again lay eggs in 7-20 days interval.
v.
Earthworms produce 250 in a season
vi. Their life span is one year.
vii. They make holes in the soil to a depth of 25 ft in a year.
This action will till 45 tones of soil.
viii. If the number of earthworms in the soil is more, then 200
tones of compost can be produced.
ix. Because of the presence of large number of holes water is made
available directly to the root portion of crops.
x. It also makes the rainwater to go down deep into the earth thus
raising the water table level.
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