VERMITECHNOLOGY: AN ECO APPROACH OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN RURAL AREAS

Over the last few years, solid waste generation and its management has become one of the biggest major environmental concerns. Each year, human, livestock and crops produce approximately 38 Billion metric ton per year (BMTY-1) of organic waste worldwide. In India food industries, intensive livestock farming and poultry farms generate huge quantities of organic solid wastes. Utilization of these waste materials for productivity process is important for both economical and environmental reasons. Although various physical, chemical and microbiological methods of disposal of organic wastes are currently in use, these methods are time consuming and involve high costs. Therefore, there is a dire need to find out cost-effective alternative method of shorter duration particularly suited to rural conditions. In this regard, vermicomposting (VC) has been reported to be a viable cost-effective and rapid technique for the efficient management of the organic solid wastes. VC is an important aspect, as it converts waste to wealth by using cheap eco-friendly option with the activity of earthworms. Vermicompost is rich in plant nutrients, provides the entire essential nutrient element, improves soil structure, texture, aeration, water holding capacity and prevents soil erosion. Vermicompost is also rich in beneficial micro-flora such as N-fixers, P-solubilizers, cellulose decomposing micro-flora etc. Different organic wastes which are generated in villages have been converted into vermicompost by different species of earthworms include cattle dung, horse waste, pig waste, sheep waste, poultry droppings, cow slurry, kitchen waste, agricultural wastes etc. VC is especially beneficial in rural areas as it targets solid waste management and at the same time provides with chemical free organic fertilizer to enhance crop productivity, employment for rural communities, low cost and high gain technology.