Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A technology using suitable species of earthworms for degradation of any organic wastes of
plant and animal origin for a minimum of 6 weeks was released for the benefit of farmers in 1984
from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. Nevertheless, few farmers came forward
to make use of the technology because of the heavy subsidy at that time on chemical fertilizers.
The ill effects of using only inorganic chemicals were not realized at that time. Applying fertilizers,
pesticides, and herbicides was timesaving and less labor intensive. By 1990, farmers realized that
the subsidy on inorganic chemicals was not an everlasting feature. To get the same yields from
their fields, they had to continually increase the quantities of the inorganic fertilizers used. Pest
populations developed resistance to pesticides, which instead of bringing down the incidence of
pest attack started to destroy the crops. Because of this, farming has become uneconomical. The
nightmare of losing soil fertility combined with uncontrollable pest attacks has made Indian farmers
look for alternative methods of production available through a more sustainable agriculture.
From 1990, vermicompost production using available organic waste biomass and epigeic
earthworms like
has advanced rapidly. Table 19.4 provides information on the spread
of this technology in the area from February 1983 to 2000. Direct dialogue between the farmers
and representatives of various organizations had led them to try out different degradable materials
and improvise methods to suit the local conditions. Farmers are accepting this as a highly viable
technology and are convinced that, with minimum expense, they can produce better quality organic
soil additives. The feedback from farmers has revealed that the farmers are more optimistic because
of this technology and innovation. In some of the districts of this state, almost all the farmers know
about this new technology, and as the well-known slogan goes, a process of Ñeach one teach oneÒ
has started. The message of protecting the soil for future generations to enjoy is spreading and
boosting the morale of farmers. The art of mass rearing and maintenance of earthworm cultures,
and the tapping of organic wastes for their maintenance, has provided good scope for developing
E. eugeniae
TABLE 19.4
Dissemination of Vermicomposting Technology from UAS Bangalore from 1983 to 1994
Within
Karnataka
Year
Outside Karnataka
1983
2
MAH/1
1984
1
TN/1 AP/1 MAH/1
1985
1
TN/1 KER/1 MAH/1
1986
0
0
1987
1
AP/1
1988
0
MAH/1
1989
0
TN/1 KER/1 PUN/1
1990
4
TN/3 MAH/1
1991
51
KER/4 AP/4 MAH/3 TN/6
1992
290
KER/10 MAH/5 GUJ/2 AP/2 PUN/1 MAN/1 DEL/1 HP/1 MP/1 RAJ/1 OR/3 BEN/1 UP/1
HAR/1
1993
361
TN/22 KER/17 AP/19 OR/4 GUJ/2 PUN/1 MAH/10 DEL/2 BEN/1 SIK/1 POND/1
1994
(March)
116
AP/3 MAH/1 TN/3 KER/1
2000
∞
All the states in the country and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
AP, Andhra Pradesh; BEN, Bengal; DEL, Delhi; GUJ, Gujarat; HAR, Haryana; HP, Himachal Pradesh; KER, Kerala;
MAH, Maharashtra; MAN, Manipur; MP, Madhya Pradesh; POND, Pondichery; PUN, Punjab; RAJ, Rajasthan; SIK,
Sikkim; TN, Tamil Nadu; UAS, University of Agricultural Sciences; UP, Uttar Pradesh.
