Vermi compost - A low cost fertilizer
The compost prepared by using earthworms is called vermicompost. Since the earthworms have been recognized as an efficient bio converter organic residues into high grade compost and therefore the technique of using earthworms systematically to turn farms wastes into valuable biofertilizers is called as vermicomposting. It is now regarded as a very important component of the organic farming package. It is easy to prepare, has excellent properties and is absolutely harmless to plants.

WHY VERMICOMPOST?
Even the high yielding varieties of crops can yield to their genetic potential only if they are grown in productive soils. The soils must be fertile and healthy if they are to be highly productive. Productivity of soils cannot be sustained with the fertilizers alone. Though inorganic farming increase the yield it has become hazardous in the long run distorting soil fertility and deteriorating soil health and quality of agricultural produce. One way out to improve and sustain soil productivity and maximizing crop production is integrated Nutrient Management (INM) involving manure's fertilizers and bio fertilizers. But, the manures have become scarce due to dwindling cattle population and inability to introduce green manure crops in crop sequences under intensive agriculture.

Vermicompost are found to be effective for the plants grown on saline/alkaline soils

Sand dumps can be brought under vegetation by using vermicompost

Vermiculture plays an important role in environmental protection

The losses due to the mining of soil ie extracting soil nutrients for crop growth are being offset by increased addition chemical fertilizers. However, the increased cost of fertilizers and large term implications of chemical farming leads to ground water depletion and high cost of fertilizers and irrigation. Continuous use of irrigation coupled with use of chemical fertilizers also causes salinization of soils.

Therefore, intensive cultivation of land without conservation of soil fertility and soil structure would lead ultimately to the springing up of desert, irrigation without arrangement for drainage would result in soils getting alkaline or saline. In view of these facts, there is a world wide awareness to find out some alternative / natural / biological / organic / sustainable agricultural practices.
Hence, for achieving the goal, the sustainable agriculture relies upon the efficient recycling crop residue, animal manures, green manures, off farm organic waste, etc for which the vermiculture biotechnology is found to be the best possible for quick change over to sustainable agriculture.