I have plenty of cow dung from my dairy and want to make vermicompost to use and sell. What is the right method and which worm?
How do I make good quality vermicompost from cow dung to sell?
GGanesh Shinde7mo ago · 282 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
Vermicompost turns cow dung and farm waste into a rich manure using earthworms, and the commonly used worm for this is the surface feeding type such as Eisenia fetida. Use partly decomposed cow dung rather than fresh hot dung, since fresh dung heats up and kills the worms, so let it cool and pre-decompose first. Make beds or pits in shade, keep them moist but not waterlogged, cover to protect the worms from sun, birds and ants, and avoid adding acidic or oily kitchen waste. In roughly a couple of months the material turns into dark, crumbly, odourless compost, which you sieve to separate the worms for the next batch. For selling, keep it well cured, screened and properly packed and moisture managed; demand is good among organic and horticulture growers. Your KVK can guide on quantities and any certification.
DDattatray Pawar6mo ago
Using only cooled, partly rotted dung was the trick. The first time I used fresh dung and the worms died. Keeping the beds in shade and just moist, not wet, gives me clean compost I sell to grape farmers.
BBhausaheb Gawande5mo ago
Ants and birds were eating my worms until I covered the beds properly and kept the surface evenly moist. Moisture control is the daily job, too wet and it goes anaerobic and smells, too dry and the worms go deep and slow down. A light sprinkle in summer mornings keeps it right.
SSanjay Kale5mo ago
For selling, sieving it well and packing it in neat bags with steady moisture got me better prices and repeat buyers among the vegetable and pomegranate growers nearby. Buyers judge with their eyes and nose, dark, crumbly and odourless sells itself. I keep the worms back from the sieve for the next batch so I never buy worms again.
PPopat Jadhav4mo ago
Chopping the dung and waste finer and turning the heap gently sped up my composting noticeably, the worms work through smaller pieces faster. Do not put in onion, garlic, citrus or salty leftovers, the worms avoid that and it slows the bed. A steady supply of cooled dung from the dairy keeps the beds running the year round for me.