Introduction
In late 1980s and early 1990s agricultural scientists in the world
realized the limitations of chemical fertilizers used for fertility
management. While on one hand research was initiated to improve the use
efficiency of chemical fertilizers, on other hand alternative inputs
were also considered.
Organic matter recycling has been in use for centuries. In 19th and
20th century scientific methods for converting low value organic matter
into high value organic composts were developed. The activities of
earthworms for recycling of organic matter became the focus of attention
by scientific community in mid-1990s.
Initially vermiculture i.e. use of surface. living earthworms was
carried ..out at very small scale—mainly for kitchen wastes. In 1995
Morarka Foundation began with 100 earthworms of Eisenia foetida
species to develop a commercial process of vermiculture. This pioneering
effort enabled Morarka Foundation to become single largest producer of
vermicast in 1998 and it still enjoys this position till date.
The process description of vermiculture - windrows method
developed by Morarka Foundation is explained below:
