Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
, in which he focuses on earthworms as the answer to solving
waste disposal problems and rejuvenating neglected land.
From my personal research experience, it is a challenge for scientists to bridge the gap between
the laboratory and the field. The whole human race will benefit if vermicomposting technology is
accepted and adopted. The activities in the small state of Karnataka, India, described here show a
general acceptance of vermicomposting by agriculturists, urban residents, and industrialists. Papers
presented at the Fourth (Kretzschmar 1992), Fifth (Edwards 1998), and Sixth (Diaz Cosin et al.
1999) International Symposia on Earthworm Ecology covered many aspects of vermicomposting
and the use of vermicomposts.
The changing scenario regarding use of earthworms in organic waste management, especially
the voluminous waste from agri-based industries, is a welcome feature. It is incredible to see the
efforts made to tap the talents of resourceful schoolchildren and initiate them into using earthworms
to handle problems of urban soil organic wastes. Although
of a quarterly newsletter,
Worm Digest
predominates as the preferred
vermicomposting earthworm, there are various attempts to test the utilization of other earthworm
species to encourage the use of locally available species or the species that can adapt best to the
different zoogeographic regions and climates.
An aspect not usually covered is the implementation of the benefits of vermicomposting
technology in developmental programs. The efforts of researchers to involve the public through
various media have to be strengthened further by increased publication of scientific data to confirm
earthworms as one of the best means of minimizing organic waste pollution and decreasing
indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers. Proper technologies and monitoring of the production
of earthworm biomass can also add to animal protein substitutes that are available to animal feed
production units.
Available areas of the countryside and agricultural land are decreasing rapidly in many countries
as they move toward industrialization and away from an agrarian emphasis. Increased poverty,
brought about by declines in available fertile land to grow food grains, is often accompanied by
greed to use the land for cash crops. Under such circumstances, the present problem depends on
improving the fertility of available land to overcome problems of hunger and starvation.
From these points of view, progress achieved in academic institutions, its adoption by farming
communities and agro-based industries, and its commercial viability in this subtropical part of India
are summarized here with the aim of furthering research on organic waste management using
earthworms.
E. fetida
A SPECTRUM OF RURAL AND URBAN SOLID
WASTE GENERATION
The Indian subcontinent, with its varied physiographic and agroclimatic zones and cultural practices,
produces a great deal of agricultural and human wastes. Depending on the major crop of the zone,
agroindustries are established in different townships. The kinds of waste generated in these units
are extremely diverse. They are of plant or animal origin and can undergo degradation to release
plant nutrients from their bound complex forms. Because the complex structural composition of
these substances resists easy breakdown, decomposition is usually a slow process. This has resulted
in accumulations of these materials without proper utilization. Stubbles, weeds, and crop litter are
the main biomass that comprises major farm wastes. The organic wastes released from dairy farms
can be added. Table 19.1 lists the major farm wastes and agroindustrial wastes that are posing
disposal problems.
The rapid growth of cities has resulted in ever-increasing accumulation of organic wastes. Most
farm produce enters cities to cater to the food needs of the urban population. Thus, most agricultural
produce is moved away from its origin. The unutilized and unwanted part of organic crop residues
is often put into landfills. Organic materials that could have returned to the biogeochemical cycles
 
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