Harnessing benefits of vermicompost for sustainable agriculture: improving soil health, crop productivity and environmental sustainability

Vermicompost (VC) is an effective organic amendment of soil that is produced through the non-thermophilic biodegradation of organic waste by earthworms and microbes. This study focuses on identifying influence of VC on soil physical properties and biological functions such as soil structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity, as well as its contribution to nutrient availability and microbial activity. Key benefits of VC are its ability to improve soil structure, porosity, decrease bulk density and increase water holding capacity which collectively support healthy plant root systems. Additionally, VC enriches soil with essential macro and micronutrients and thus, reduces the use of chemical fertilizers. Vermicompost increases nutrient cycling and plant growth by increasing the abundance and activity of a diverse microbial community, allowing ecosystems to be more resistant to environmental stress such as heat and drought. Nevertheless, application of VC has some challenges, such as cost of production, transportation to distant places, and production of quality compost. To overcome these challenges, further research and development must be strengthened to produce quality vermicompost. This analysis concludes that, VC enhancing sustainability of agricultural systems through improving soil health, crop productivity and environmental sustainability. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2026, 51(1):40-64