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L.N. Revathy

Commanding a premium now.

COIMBATORE, May 3

THE major soil inhabiting organic decomposers — earthworms are in great demand. Until recently, these worms were passed for just another infiltrate in the soil. Due to the revolutionary changes in farming practices, the demand for these worms has surged in recent months.

The price of one kg of earthworm has increased to about Rs 800 in recent months. The increased demand for the earthworm is said to have triggered its rate. What would have passed off as picayune some years back is considered an invaluable asset today.

Researchers say that the native earthworm species seem not so efficient as the short-statured Italian, African and North American worm species.

It is learnt that the worms are being sourced from Pune and Bangalore, as farmers are now keen to take up vermincomposting on a commercial scale.

Although no standards have yet been established to check the quality of the vermicompost, in view of the growing demand for organic manures, a number of bogus players have entered the fray, researchers lament.

The project cost is not very high, but for the initial investment towards the vermicompost production yard, the culture and provision of basic infrastructural facilities. The numbers of players engaged in vermicomposting on a commercial scale are not too many, as it is not used for field crops, but only in floriculture and horticulture crops.

A cross-section of the users of this organic manure emphasise the need for regulation in the rate. They say that the price range varied widely from company to company, and since the results (crop growth) were not visible immediately, it was difficult to classify them.

Meanwhile, players such as Prime Bio Products, who have taken up vermicomposting on a commercial scale, have been indirectly helping the community in tidying up the vegetable garbage, which was hitherto being heaped outside the market square causing environmental hazard.

It is reliably learnt that about 80-100 kg of vegetable waste was being junked everyday in small towns alone and earthworms are allowed to feed on these wastes.

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Earthworms in great demand

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