About Vermiculture VERMICULTURE is the technical term used to describe worm farming.  The remnants left after digestion are called CASTINGS.  The liquid that seeps through the material that the worms eat is called LEACHATE.  Both the castings and the leachate are highly prized both as a natural pesticide as well as an odourless fertilizer that is five times richer in nutrients and micro-elements than a good topsoil. Vermiculture most often uses two species of worms.  RED WRIGGLERS (Eisenia Foetida) or  RED EARTHWORMS (Lumbricus Rubellus), rarely found in soil and are suited only to the special conditions in rotting vegetation, compost and manure piles. The earthworms remain active throughout the year under favourable conditions.  Moisture levels, temperature, food supply and space are essential for their survival and biomass production. Vermiculture results in the generation of useful organic matter.  It helps to avoid the environmental pollution and expenditure of resources to treat organic waste.  There is a high level of organic waste generated from agriculture activities, dairy farming, industrial activities, animal shelters and household activitie - all of which is dumped to putrefy without proper utilisation. Vermiculture is eco-friendly and economical and its potential benefits include: reduction of noxious qualities of organic wastes, elimination/reduction of harmful micro organisms; conversions of agro-wastes into high value fertilizer and production of food and feed from food discards.    Vermicompost provides many benefits to agricultural soil including increased ability to retain moisture, better nutrient holding capacity, better soil structure and higher levels of microbial activity.  Vermicompost also has the ability to stimulate plant growth.  Many researchers have found that vermicompost stimulates further plant growth even when the plants are already receiving optimal nutrition . The images below illustrate the benefits of vermicompost as a plant growth stimulant.  The image on the left is of two bean plants.  The bean plant on the right shows the growth of the plant three weeks after receiving one dose of vermiliquid.  The image on the right is of Chinese spinach seedlings grown with (from left) chemical fertilizer, powdered horse manure, vermicompost, and nothing.                                                                                               Home I Products & Services I About Worms I About Vermiculture I FAQ'S I Leave a Message I Contact Us