Vermiculture Technology

Co-edited by international earthworm expert Clive A. Edwards, Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management is the first international, comprehensive, and definitive work on how earthworms and microorganisms interact to break down organic wastes on a commercial basis. Many books cover the importance of composting

The production of degradable organic waste and its safe disposal have become the current global problem. The rejuvenation of degraded soils by protecting topsoil and sustainability of productive soils is a major concern at the international level. Vermicomposting is compatible process with sound environmental principles that value conservation of resources and sustainable practices. Vermicompost is known to be the world best organic fertilizer. Vermiculture is for vermicompost. Vermiculture means artificial rearing or cultivation of worms (Earthworms) and the technology is the scientific process of using them for the betterment of human beings. Vermiculture technology has improved the crop productivity by increasing soil fertility through ecological methods of farming. Vermiculture has been embraced throughout the world right from the developed countries to the developing countries. Vermicomposting is a panacea for solid waste management. It is a simple kindred process of composting, in which certain species of microorganism such as earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better end product. Earthworms serve as nature plowman to facilitate these functions. They form gift of nature to produce good humus, which is the most precious material to fulfill the nutritional needs of crops. The utilization of vermicompost results in several benefits to farmers, industries, environment and overall national economy. This contains experiments from the field, vermicomposting materials, earthworm life cycle, ecological types earthworms, role of earthworms, vermicomposting, advantages of vermiculture, vermitechnology. This book majorly deals with advantages of vermicomposting, vermicomposting in daily life vermiculture v/s vermicomposting, earthworms: ecological types, physical and chemical effects of earthworms on soils, fertilizers use and deterioration of soil environment, vermicomposting materials, feeding vermicomposting materials, ideal conditions for life of earthworms, earthworms : their application in organic agriculture, maintenance of vermicomposting beds, vermicomposting : general procedures at agricultural farms vermicomposting : kiss plan, vermicomposting: a world scenario, soil fertility and texture, advantages of vermiculture, small scale or indoor vermicomposting, large scale or outdoor vermicomposting ect. This book is an invaluable resource for readers, entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers, existing industries, technical institution, etc.

Choice Reviews, Outstanding Academic Title Techniques and systems for processing food scraps, manure, yard debris, paper, and more Turning waste into wealth sounds too good to be true, but many worm farmers are finding that vermicomposting is a reliable way to do just that. Vermicast—a biologically active, nutrient-rich mix of earthworm castings and decomposed organic matter—sells for $400 or more per cubic yard. Compare that to regular compost, sold at about $30 a cubic yard, and you’ll see why vermicomposting has taken root in most countries and on every continent but Antarctica. Vermicomposting is also one of the best sustainable solutions for organic waste management. Vermicomposting manure and crop wastes on farms improves crop yields while reducing demand for off-farm inputs. Vermicast has higher nutrient levels and lower soluble salt content than regular compost, and it improves soil aeration, porosity, and water retention. Plus, vermicast suppresses plant diseases and insect attacks. Municipalities, businesses, community gardens, schools, and universities can set up vermicomposting operations to process food residuals and other waste materials. The Worm Farmer’s Handbook details the ins and outs of vermicomposting for mid- to large-scale operations, including how to recycle organic materials ranging from food wastes and yard trimmings to manure and shredded office paper. Vermicomposting expert Rhonda Sherman shares what she has learned over twenty-five years working with commercial worm growers and researchers around the world. Her profiles of successful worm growers across the United States and from New Zealand to the Middle East and Europe describe their proven methods and systems. This book digs into all the details, including: Choosing the right production system Regulatory issues and developing a business and marketing plan Finding and managing feedstocks Pre-composting: why and how to do it Monitoring an active worm bed Harvesting, screening, testing, packaging, and storing vermicast Markets for earthworms and vermicast Food security: how vermicast benefits soils and plants Keys to success: avoiding common pitfalls From livestock farms and restaurants to colleges, military bases, and prisons, Sherman details why and how commercial-scale vermicomposting is a fast-growing, sustainable solution for organic waste management. The Worm Farmer’s Handbook is the first and only authoritative how-to guide that goes beyond small-scale operations and demystifies the science and logistics of the fascinating process that is vermicomposting.

A revolution is unfolding in vermiculture studies (rearing of useful earthworms species) for multiple uses in environmental protection and sustainable development. The global scientific community is searching for a technology which should be 'economically cheaper' (to be afforded by all nations), 'environmentally sustainable' (friendly to the environment) and 'socially acceptable' (beneficial to the society). Vermiculture Biotechnology with the use of earthworms combines all these virtues together. Vermiculture (rearing of earthworms) is a 'big business' today and they are also helping in 'employment generation' and 'poverty eradication programs' in several developing countries. This book reviews research on earthworms and how they promise to provide cheaper solutions to several social, economic and environmental problems of human society.

Traditionally women's role in agriculture is staggering with nearly half of the population involved in agriculture and its related activities. Most of the agricultural activities are women specific but tragically worldwide women mostly end up as hired agricultural labourers with substantial gender disparity in wages earning far less than men in the same job. To add to her economic woes, inadequate education, less than satisfactory dissemination of technology, globalization, economic liberalization, commercialization, urbanization, political instability, natural disasters, mechanization of agriculture, decreased agriculture, migration of men to urban areas, and occupational health hazards such as prolonged hours of physical labour resulting in musculo-skeletal injuries, pesticide poisoning also make the life of rural women miserable. True, there are policies and programmes of central and state government to alleviate their problems but they are proportionately insufficient and their execution far from satisfactory. Much needs to be done in disseminating gender segregated data and gender bias in all aspects of agriculture, access to resources including land and natural resources, drudgery reduction, assuring nutritional security, diversification of activities of Self Health Groups and Street Shakti groups with emphasis on productivity including post harvest technology, creation of marketing facilities, ownership to land and other allied resources rural electrification, outreach from the media, collectives of women and inter linking of SHGs, adult literacy, health awareness, gender sensitization of extension functionaries and financials institutions, awareness about pesticide hazard etc. Tragically rural women are not vociferous on issues like foetal killing of female unborn, high rate of female mortality, creation of Special Economic Zones replacing productive lands, farmer's suicide and the plight of their widows, fate of pavement vendors and petty shop keepers replaced by retail outlets of big business houses, etc. The struggle cannot be won by only educated and Non Government Organizations on their behalf. The affected and victimized have to fight directly against the injustice they are facing. Extension workers and NGOs need to help them to become aware of their rights and government programmes specially designed for them and motivate them to redress their problems on their own. This needs scientifically collected information on their problems and relief measures available. The book, Women in Agriculture and Rural Development is a sincere attempt in this endeavour. It has valuable chapters on gender inequality in agriculture, technological and economic empowerment of women, poverty alleviation and training programmes, role of SHGs and Street Shakti Groups in rural development, capacity building, nutritional profile of rural women, drudgery and its reduction, natural resources conservation and food security

Bioenergy is biofuel-derived energy. Biofuel is any fuel made from biomass, such as plant or algal matter or animal waste. Biofuel is considered a renewable energy source since the feedstock material can be easily renewed, unlike fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Ethanol is a naturally occurring result of plant fermentation that may also be made by hydrating ethylene. Ethanol is a widely used industrial chemical that is employed as a solvent, in the production of other organic compounds, and as a fuel additive (forming a mixture known as a gasohol). Many alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits, include ethanol as a psychoactive element. Transportation fuels generated from biomass resources, such as ethanol and biomass-based diesel, are known as biofuels. Using ethanol or biodiesel reduces the use of crude oil-based gasoline and diesel, potentially lowering the amount of crude oil imported from other nations. The global biofuels market is expected to reach growth at 7.3% CAGR. Increasing demand for biofuels as automobile fuel owing to their environment friendly characteristic to mitigate greenhouse gas emission is expected to propel industry growth. The global ethanol fuel market is expected to reach growing at a CAGR of 6.7%. The demand for the product is driven by growing usage of the product as a biofuel. The bioenergy market is expected to register a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period. Bioenergy is one of the renewable energy sources globally. Increasing demand for energy, advancements in bioenergy conversion technologies, and increasing investment in bioenergy, and declining electricity generation costs from bioenergy facilities are expected to drive the market during the forecast period. The book covers a wide range of topics connected to Biofuel, Ethanol and Bioenergy Based Products, as well as their manufacturing processes. It also includes contact information for machinery suppliers, as well as images of equipment and plant layout. A complete guide on Biofuel, Ethanol and Bioenergy Based Products manufacture and entrepreneurship. This book serves as a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the Biofuel, Ethanol and Bioenergy Based Products manufacturing industry, which is ripe with opportunity for manufacturers, merchants, and entrepreneurs. This is the only book that covers commercial Biofuel, Ethanol and Bioenergy Based Products in depth. From concept through equipment procurement, it is a veritable feast of how-to information.

This book explains the lifecycle of earthworms, biological features, multiplication of worms, species of earthworms that are suitable for vermicomposting, different sources of vermicompost, nutrient recovery and different procedures for making of vermicompost and importance of application of vermicompost in cereal, fruit and vegetable crops. The tremendous increase in population, urbanization, industrialization and agricultural production results in accumulation quantities of solid wastes. This has created serious problem in the environment. In order to dispose this waste safely it should be converted effectively. This is achieved by bio-composting and vermicomposting of farm, urban and agro-industrial waste. It is being increasing realized that composting is an environment friendly process, convert wide variety of wastes into valuable agricultural inputs. Compost is excellent source of humus and plant nutrients, on application of which improve soil biophysical properties and organic matter status of the soil. India generates about 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste every year. Agricultural wastes include crop residues, weeds, leaf litter, sawdust, forest waste, and livestock waste. Under appropriate conditions, worms eat agricultural waste and reduce the volume by 40 to 60%. Vermicompost produced by the activity of earthworms is rich in macro and micro-nutrients, vitamins, growth hormones, enzymes such as proteases, amylases, lipase, cellulase and chitinase and immobilized microflora. This book will assist farmers, students and scholars to guide them about lifecycle of earthworms, biological features, multiplication of worms, species of earthworms that are suitable for vermicomposting and different procedures for making of vermicompost. This book will also benefit students of agriculture at graduate and post graduate level as students have a designated course on vermicomposting.

Present world is witnessing drastic changes harshly impacting its bio-resources (plants, animals and organisms) that are considered as natural gift for our livelihood. Global warming, climate change, abiotic and biotic stresses are strangling and challenging the survivability of these resources. It is therefore crucial to manage these resources for making planet Earth more suitable to live. Moreover, there is an utter need to know how climate dynamic and biotic or abiotic factors are influencing on bio-resources and also to frame its sustainable management strategies. This book is the output of the research deliberations at 3rd International Conference on Bio-resource and Stress Management, India; and expert views on contemporary research and management issues in relation to bio-resources and its management. This timely needed uniquely written reference book consists of 29 well-crafted chapters on sustainable land, water and crop management, organic agriculture, climate change and crop productivity, stress management, bio-resource conservation, bio-fortification for nutritional security, agro-techniques, agro-forestry and forest resource management and waste management etc. which certainly will be of great use by the scientists, academician, researches, scholars, students, extension workers, corporate and NGO’s working in these aspects.