Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Producing Vermi-compost:
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
5 Dig a series of pits, about 3m x 4m x 1m deep, with sloping sides. To provide drainage for
earthworms, lay bamboo poles at bottom of pit and cover with a layer of wood strips;
5 Line pit with a lining material (e.g., feedstuff sacks to keep earthworms from going into
surrounding soil);
5 Fill pit with available organic materials (e.g., crop residues, animal manures, and others).
Cover lightly with soil and keep moist for about a week;
5 Water a spot in pile then transfer earthworms from breeding boxes to said spot. They will
quickly burrow into damp soil;
5 Leave pit for about two months but keep pile always moist; and
5 Remove about 2/3 of vermi-compost and earthworms from pit but leave enough worms for
continuation of composting. Refill pit with fresh organic materials.
Using Vermi-compost as organic Fertilizer:
5 Divide big group into 5 small groups and assign each group to field test vermi-compost as
organic fertilizer in organic vegetable production;
5 Each small group will have sample plots at border of learning field to test the efficacy of
vermi-compost as their side study;
5 Sample plot will be divided equally into two sub-plots; first sub-plot will be treated with
vermi-compost material, while another sub-plot will be treated with a popular compost
material;
5 Each group will apply vermi-compost and a popular compost material as basal (e.g., before
or during transplanting);
5 Each group will collect weekly data on; (a) plant height, (b) vigor, and (c) color of leaves;
5 Presentation of observations and data gathered will be done on monthly; and
5 Small and big group participatory discussion and interactions will follow thereafter.
5. Synthesize and summarize output of small groups into one big group output. Draw up
conclusions and recommendation from this exercise.
some suggested questions for processing discussion
❏ Did you observe different crops planted and crop stand using vermi-compost as organic
fertilizer for organic vegetable growing in learning and adjoining fields?
❏ Did you observe farmers producing and using vermi-compost as organic fertilizer in their
vegetable fields?