CSA Xpert

Selection of Site

•      Select suitable location having accessibility to roads, availability of bio-waste, good ventilation.
•      Selected site better to located near to dairy farm or places with high population of cattle.
•      Water sources in the vicinity.
•      Availability of farm labour.
•      Shady area.

•       Select the appropriate kind of raw material to make vermibed.
•      Confirm that the selected organic wastes are free from non-biodegradable materials such as glass, stone etc.
  
•      Identify reliable source to ensure continuous supply of organic waste as feed for worms.
  
•      Verify that the organic wastes are shredded in to small pieces prior to making vermibed.
  
•      Ensure appropriate height of the heap.
  
•      Chop the available organic waste materials into convenient size and shade dried for few days (10-15 days).
  
•      On the floor of the bed one layers of broken bricks, mixed soil and sand are spread uniformly (2-3 inch thickness). 
•       After this a layer, neem or pangamia (karanj) leaves are applied for preventing and discouraging the ants and termites infestations.
•      Agricultural wastes materials generated from field, i.e. crops and livestock’s including horticulture, agroforestry, vegetables and fodder etc. were collected, sun dried and chopped into suitable size (bedding materials).
•     The bedding materials of 4-6 inches are sprayed with a layer of cow dung slurry (bulky substrate). This is followed by a 2nd layer of decomposed cow dung (3-4 inches thickness) spread uniformly over the bedding materials. This process layering of organic waste and dry cow dung are repeated until the container is filled up or desired level.
•      After 15-20 days of pre-conditioning (spraying of water for moisture and turning of heap 2-3 times at 4-5 days intervals), the earthworms were released at the rate of 1 kg earthworms /meter sq of heap.
•        Adequate water spraying is essential for maintenance of moisture levels in the compost heap.
•        Efficient debris consuming, non-borrowing earthworms are ideal for vermicomposting.
•      Once in every 15-20 days, the heap of organic wastes was turned upside down for efficient conversion and covered with gunny bags for moisture retention and protect from predators like birds and other animals.
•      For complete conversion of organic wastes to vermicompost needs 2-3 months and also depends on favourable conditions and density of worms etc.
•       The approximate turnover of the compost is 50-75% of the organic residues loaded. The harvesting of vermicompost can be done   by using manual, or making pyramidal heap, screening or sieving methods or inducing the migration of worms.
•      The vermicompost were stored in dark and cool places and packed in a laminated sac/bag prior to selling. Vermicompost can store for longer period (1 year) without compromising.        

    Management of Vermibeds

•       Sprinkle water daily on the vermibeds according to the requirement and season to keep them moist (40-50%).
•       Sprinkling of water should be stopped when 90 % bio-wastes are decomposed.
•       Normally after 45-60 days, organic refuse changes into a soft, spongy, sweet smelling; dark brown compost will be ready for collection.
•      The appearance of black granular crumbly vermicompost on top of the vermibeds indicates maturity of the compost.
•      The mature vermicompost is light in weight and does not emit any foul smell. The pH of the mature vermicompost remains in neutral range.

• Pits below the ground
• Heaping above the ground

• Tanks above the ground
• Cement rings

• Commercial models
• Precautions during the process