ACCELERATED VERMICOMPOST PRODUCTION THROUGH MECHANIZATION—WAYS TO HANDLE CROP RESIDUES AND ENHANCE SOIL HEALTH

The application of mechanization in the vermicomposting process, focuses on enhancing composting efficiency, reducing production time and optimizing labor costs.Crop residues, such as rice straw, maize stalks and sugarcane trash, are abundant post-harvest by-products in India, causing environmental and social challenges due to their accumulation.Mechanical vermicomposting integrates conventional composting with machinery, including front-end loaders, shredders and irrigation systems, to streamline waste management and compost production.By maintaining optimal moisture, aeration and a targeted carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, mechanical methods significantly reduce processing time to 60-90 days compared to traditional methods.The results indicate that mechanized vermicomposting yields a high-quality product with reduced lignin content and a favorable B:C ratio, enhancing its efficacy as an organic fertilizer.The economic analysis highlights substantial labor cost savings with mechanical methods, though initial production costs are higher than that in traditional methods.Production efficiency is significantly increased, achieving 5100 kg of compost in a 30 m vermibed unit with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.03, compared to the conventional approach which yields 1800 kg with a BCR of 1.25.The results demonstrate that mechanized vermicomposting is an effective, eco-friendly approach to sustainable waste management, supporting soil health and creating economic opportunities for farmers and stakeholders.