Vermiculture in Egypt: - FAO - Regional Office for the Near East and

users in Dharwad) and $3.2 per ton in channel-II (the producer-seller sold the produce
through BAIF to the users in Kalghatagi). The net returns per ton of vermicompost
were $26 in channel-I compared to $24.5 in channel-II. The net present value for the
vermicompost production was $2136.89, the benefit cost ratio at 12% discount rate
was 3.44, internal rate of return was 38% and payback period was 1.71 years.
Some islands in India such as Andaman and Nicobar islands are known for their wide
variety of crops such as paddy, coconut, areca_nut, clove, black pepper, cinnamon,
nutmeg and vegetables. About 2-3 kg of earthworms is required for 1000 kg of
biomass, whereas about 1100 number earthworms are required for one square meter
area. Non burrowing species are mostly used for compost making. Red earthworm
species like Eisenia foetida and Eudrillus enginae are most efficient in compost
making. Summary for Production of Vermicompost at Farm Scale is shown in Table
3.1.
Women self-help groupes (SHGs) in several watersheds in India have set up
vermicomposting enterprises. By becoming an earning member of the family, they are
involved in the decision-making process, which has raised their social status. One of
the women managed to earn earned $36 per month from this activity. She has also
inspired and trained 300 peers in 50 villages. (Nagavallemma et al., 2004).
30
Photo 3.3.
Women self-help group involved
in vermicomposting, to promote
micro-enterprises and generate
income
Source: Nagavallemma et al.
(2004)