University harvests earthworms for better fertilisers

The Mangalore-based Yenepoya University has begun using earthworms to convert organic waste into compost.

Hareesh Joshy, an expert in vermi-technology, who oversees the implementation of the project at Yenepoya University, told BusinessLine that the university has initiated a project to manage its own organic wastes on its 33-acre campus.

The university’s vermi-compost unit has six rectangular bins. Each bin can load 750 kg-1,000 kg of organic waste.

Joshy said that the each loading will be ready for harvesting vermi-compost in 45 days’ time. Vermi-compost can be harvested five to six times in a year from each bin.

Around 50 per cent of the loaded organic material will be converted into vermi-compost, he said, adding that around 2,500 kg of compost can be harvested from a bin in a year.

Joshy said that the university has spent around ₹8 lakh on its vermi-compost unit. He said that if one takes a minimum cost of ₹10 a kg on vermi-compost, the university will be saving around ₹1.8 lakh a year on fertilizer for plants. Some manufacturers are selling vermi-compost at ₹15-25 a kg in the Mangalore market, he said. Stating that the number of earthworms doubles in every three months, he said the extra earthworms can be sold in the market. A kg of earthworm costs ₹350-400, he said.

Farhad Yenepoya, Director of Yenepoya University, said that the university produces enough vegetation on campus and kitchen waste from hostels.

All these organic wastes are put into better use with this vermi-compost unit, he added.

COMMENT NOW