The natural tiller and friend to the organic farmers

Preserving eco-system is possible through Organic farming: we protect earthworms in the soil and in return they give us soil fertility. In fact, this amazing small creature helps us to make our own “vermicompsot” Bio-fertilizer.

A long time ago, we could find EarthWorms in any farming soils during the mouldboard ploughing. Today, it is no longer the case. The depletion can find its explanation on chemicals farming as the usage of fertilizers and excessive pesticides have progressively kill them. Added to the actual drought in Tamil Nadu, also exacerbated by inorganic farming the small farmer's friend slowly disappeared.

However, Earthworm are known to have a significant positive impact on crop yield as they act as a natural waste manager of the land, as it can improve the water holding capacity, and the moisture content. Compared to any other species, Earthworms have a specifical metabolism molecule called "drilodefensis" that can decay and breakdown some roots and leaves that other animals cannot digest. For the farmers, it means that 50 to 70% of soil borne diseases present in various vegetables can be avoid just by the silent presence in the soil.

In conventional farming, the harvesting season let place to fire in order to return the soil easily. The practice  is not only bad for the air pollution but also for the land, while collecting dry leaves can provide nutrients to the Earthworms and helping them to naturally recycling the waste. In small Organic Farms, it is possible to produce their proper vermicompost by keeping fresh banana leaves in shedding area, protecting from the light.

The fresh leaves can be covered by semi-decomposed cow dung which will procure direct nutrients for the worms. Next step consists on spreading water in order to keep moisture level and a best environment for worms. The temperature levels should not increase or decreased suddenly as the worm are too sensitive to this change.

You can now introduce the earthworms to their new habitats, and recover them with dry leaves to protect them from dry and predators. After 25 days, the surface can be carefully removed and filtered in order to remove worms and stones. The vermicompost is now ready to act as a bio-input for vegetables and fruits plants.