The method of preparing compost with the help of red worms is called vermicomposting. The process uses earthworms to eat and digest organic wastes and turn out high-quality compost in about two months' time. Vermicompost is actually an excreta of earthworms that is rich in humus. It can be prepared from all types of organic wastes.

Agriculture waste:-

1. Sorghum straw, dry leaves, green leaves, pigeon pea waste, groundnut husk, and wheat husk.
2. Weeds- Parthenium, hysterophorus, or congress weed.
3. Animal Manures- dairy and poultry wastes, food industry wastes

Procedure for Vermicomposting

1. Dig a pit about 1 foot deep at a place that does not get direct sunlight.
2. Spread a chicken mesh or 1 to 2 cm thick layer of sand at the bottom of the pit.
3. Spread the organic waste on the layer of sand. Powdered eggshells or seashells could be mixed with the waste.
4. Don�t use wastes that may contain salt, pickles, oil, vinegar, meat, milk products.
5. Animal dung could be used as a spread over the sand or wire mesh.
6. Sprinkle some water to make this layer wet. Keep the layer loose so that it has sufficient air and moisture.
7. Buy some red worms and put them in your pit.
8. Cover them loosely with a gunny bag or a layer of grass.
9. Sprinkle water over the mixture at 3 days intervals for about 2 months.
10. Redworms do not survive in very hot or very cold surroundings.

After about two months or when the compost is ready put some organic waste as food in the corner of the pit. Most of worms will shift to this part of the pit vacating other part. Remove the compost from the vacated part and dry it in the sun for a few hours. Pack the compost in bags and store them in a cool place.

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