Meet the eco-biological engineers of the earth ….earth worms.Earth worms and their excreta are an extraordinarily good way to promote sustainable agriculture says enthusiast Michael Fraser of Zeskendren Mahaicony, in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice)..
The science or art is called vermiculture and its main by product is vermicompost .
Vermiculture means artificial rearing or cultivation of earth worms.
The goal is to continually increase the number of worms in order to obtain a sustainable harvest
Vermicompost is the excreta of earthworm, which is rich in humus; that nutrient rich dark brown mass of partially decomposed organic matter in the soil.
Said humus improves the fertility and water retention of the soil and is very important for plant growth free of chemicals ie: organic farming.
The earthworms, acting as eco-biological engineers, change the properties of soil that has previously been contaminated with pesticides and reclaim it producing microbial enrichments and nutrients
Michael Fraser is ardently involved in vermiculture and vermicompost production and use at his farm at Zeskendren ,Mahaicony .
He recently disclosed that he started to experiment with vermiculture four years ago and hasn’t regretted it for one second since.
He disclosed: “I now have two active worm bins and a third bin is being built by my grandson.”
He said that his farm has been producing worms as well as vermicompost for sale more regularly in recent months and these two products are popular for cash crop and vegetable farmers in the area and further afield.
He added “I am glad I got into vermiculture and vermicompost production. I am glad I took the bait.”
He added that the multiplication of earthworms and the production of vermicompost are simple processes that can be easily handled by any farmer.
Stressing that vermicomposting is a feasible method to enrich the soil and increase farm yields by way of genuine organic farming, he added that there is a present need for a more comprehensive awareness within the farming community of this powerful and environmentally friendly form of support for cash crop and vegetable production.
Fraser can be reached for purchase of earth worms and/or compost at any of the following numbers 6093728; 6028825; 6821329
