SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION (SRI)

SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION (SRI)

                                                                  
   Introduction

 SRI is a system in which the simple alteration in management practices just by changing the ways of plants, soil and nutrients, other than using high yielding varieties or purchased inputs such as fertilizers and other agro chemicals can increase rice yield. Observation found that in this system farmers are getting almost double than existing yield (2-4 ton existing yield).The main principle behind this system includes.
 

1)     The planting younger seedlings i.e 12- 20 day’s seedlings –. The basic assumption in this principle is lower aged seedlings have higher tillering capacity so that yield can be increased

2)     Single seedling with wider distances (20-25 cm spacing) than in normal practices in which 4-5 seedlings are planted in closer (i.e in 15 x 15 cm) distances.

3)      In addition, other improved practices such as fertilizer application, weeding and control of pest and diseases can be followed as normal practices.

4)      The irrigation is controlled. Intermittent irrigation just to moisten the field rather than flooding the rice field is enough for this practice which minimizes the higher requirement of irrigation water. Water flooded to rice field cause mortality of rice root friendly bacteria by checking the free movement of oxygen in the deeper layer of soil.

5)     Water management system

-         Flooding the field for 2-3 hours in a day and left drying for 2 or 3 days.

-         Just use of intermittent yield for 1 hour daily.

-         water management can be fixed with WHT (Water hold tank)

6)     Fertilization

 There is no need of extra fertilizer to boost the yield but organic fertilizer gave better performances in Morang (R. Uprety). Poultry manure, Green fertilizer like Azolla, Dhaicha and wood ash are better for yield.

7) Weeding _ Weeding in SRI is higher in proportion than existing type because of low water application in field.

SRI a mile stone to food security of marginal farmers…

SRI (system of rice intensification) is a rice growing system in which the simple alteration in management practices just by changing the age of rice seedlings and cultivation practices, other than using high yielding varieties or purchased inputs such as fertilizers and other agro chemicals yields at least double amount of rice from same area than the prevailing system of rice cultivation that has been followed by Nepalese farmers for years. The main principle followed by SRI to boost up yield    includes the planting of lower aged seedlings i.e. 12-20 days at a bit wider distances (20-25 cm spacing) than in prevailing practices in which 4-5 seedlings are planted in closer(i.e. in 15 x 15 cm) distances. The basic assumption in this principle is lower aged seedlings have higher tillering capacity so that yield can be increased. In addition, other improved practices such as fertilizer application, weeding and control of pest and diseases can be followed as prevailing practices. Nevertheless, irrigation in SRI is controlled and applied just to keep the field moistures rather than flooded which minimizes the higher requirement of irrigation water and provides better environment for prosperous tillering and panicle in rice. 

 A Return Analysis from SRI Method based on Farmer's field school in Bjh

In SRI method:
S.N	Description	Unit	Qty	Rate	Amount(Rs)
	Total Cost				2328
A	Input cost				128
1.1	Seed	Kg	0.5	15	7.5
1.2	Fertilizer-Chemical	Kg
	Fertilizer-FYM	Doko	20	6	120
1.3	Pesticide	Bot.
B	Labor cost				2000
1.4	Nursery Bed	M-D	1	160	160
1.5	Field preparation	M-D	2	160	320
1.6	Transplanting	M-D	3	160	480
1.7	Weeding	M-D	3	160	480
1.8	Harvesting	M-D	1.5	160	240
1.9	Threshing/ storage	M-D	2	160	320
C	Bullock cost				200
1.1	Field preparation	B-D	0.5	200	100
1.11	Puddling	B-D	0.5	200	100
2	Income				4090
	Paddy grain	Kg	195	12	2340
	Straw	Bito	7	250	1750
3	Gross income				4090
4	Net income				1763
5	Cost/ Income ratio				0.8
Existing  Method
S.N	Description	Unit	Qty	Rate	Amount(Rs)
1	Total Cost				2188
A	Input cost				388
1.1	Seed	Kg	2.5	15	37.5
1.2	Fertilizer-Chemical	Kg
	Fertilizer-FYM	Doko	40	6	240
1.3	Pesticide	Bot.	1	110	110
B	Labor cost				1600
1.4	Nursery Bed	M-D	1	160	160
1.5	Field preparation	M-D	2	160	320
1.6	Transplanting	M-D	2	160	320
1.7	Weeding	M-D	1.5	160	240
1.8	Harvesting	M-D	1.5	160	240
1.9	Threshing/ storage	M-D	2	160	320
C	Bullock cost				200
1.1	Field preparation	B-D	0.5	200	100
1.11	Puddling	B-D	0.5	200	100
2	Income				3660
	Paddy grain	Kg	180	12	2160
	Straw	Bito	6	250	1500
3	Gross income				3660
4	Net income				1473
5	Cost income ratio				0.67
Yield increment (%)		8

Sustaining soil fertility: useful practices and methods in hill agriculture

Sustaining soil fertility: useful practices and
methods in hill agriculture ( Sustainable Soil Management Programme ( SSMP)

      
Farmers in the hills of Nepal have, over the past centuries, devel- oped complex farming systems based on a close integration of  crop, livestock and forestry/grassland management. Manure derived from livestock is the main source of soil fertility man-  agement. About 32% of the fodder resources are derived from crop residues while the rest is derived from terrace risers, bunds and forests. Although fodder is in short supply and milk produc- tion is thereby reduced, farmers keep livestock partly for the purpose of manure production.
Farmers have constantly changed and adapted their farming systems over the past centuries as need and opportunities arose. New crops such as maize and potato entered the hills centuries ago and are now staple food crops contributing to food security. The expansion of fruit crops and vegetables is a more recent phenomenon improving food quality and farm income. At the same time, farmers have maintained traditional practices such as terracing, manure management, legume inter cropping, and mulching where appropriate.

Searching for innovation
The rapid intensification of land use, reduced access to biomass from public land, increasing access to input and output markets, new crops and cropping systems have exposed farmers to new challenges. Therefore, farmer-support organisations need to accelerate farmers’ efforts to increase the productivity of the farming system with new practices and knowledge while main- taining its diversity and sustainability.
This article summarises experiences on the promotion of sustainable soil management of more than 50 governmental and non-governmental organisations under the common umbrella of  the Sustainable Soil Management Programme (SSMP). More than 14000 households in 10 hill districts participated directly in project activities since 1999 through more than 1500 field trials or demonstrations per year. About 700 farmers participated in a recent evaluation of the programme. The major learning points so far are outlined below.

Technical opportunities for SSM
Various opportunities for improved soil management have been identified and confirmed with farmers over the past 3 years.
For instance:
• Farm yard manure quality can be increased by better decom- position and the N-content can be increased by at least 2 to 3 times from about 0.5% N to 1.5% N through proper management of urine and manure. In particular, urine collection and the proper management of manure are new to most farmers, as many have initiated stall-feeding only over the past 1-2 decades. Previous recommendations for manure (use of starter, turning etc.) were derived from composting and proved to be too labour demanding and missed the importance of urine collection and N-preservation.
• Liquid manure can be prepared from urine and various plant extracts rich in minerals or secondary plant  compounds. These “manure teas” were shown to be effective liquid fertilisers on crops such as vegetables and also for organic pest and disease management. Local marketing systems for such “manure teas” are emerging in some areas. The use of urea fertiliser declined in several areas due to liquid manure use.
• Increased fodder availability from fodder trees and grasses on private  land has improved the fodder supply and quality for livestock. The quantity and quality of manure has increased (remember: about 80% of N in fodder is excreted through urine). Additionally the workload for fodder collection and transport, in particular for women, has been reduced.
• Legume cropping was not a successful intervention in many areas. However, it did expand considerably if the legume species  was selected with farmers and well targetted to local ecological conditions and marketing opportunities. Groundnut has attract- ed, for example, the attention of farmers as a cash crop with local processing and marketing potential for women. Farmers have adopted Four-Season Bean, a climbing variety of Phaseolus vul-  garis, as a vegetable and food crop.
• Multistorey Agroforestry systems have attracted farmers’ attention in the case of inter cropping coffee (a new cash crop for most farmers), ginger, fruit trees, vegetable and fodder trees in the western and central region. Shade trees are essential for sus-  tainable management of coffee plantations in minimising dam- age by stemborers, drought stress and low winter temperatures.
• High value crops with SSM such  as fresh vegetables in areas with market access or ginger in more remote areas have stimula- ted farmers to care for their land and soil fertility. The initial doubt was whether short-cycle cash crops  would contribute to an overexploitation of the soil and to a decline in soil fertility. However, field studies have confirmed that farmers increase
their investment into soil fertility, if the information on the cash crop is delivered together with information on sustainable soil management. Fodder and manure production, for example, increased on these farms.
• Fertilisers may provide a response of at least 25-30 kg of  additional maize yield per 1 kg of nitrogen applied if the fertiliser use is at low-moderate rates, correctly applied and well synchro- nised with crop demand. Farmers in accessible areas have started to complement manure with an inorganic fertiliser top-dressing. However, farmers’ experiences on the correct type, amount, tim- ing and placement of fertilisers in combination with indigenous organic manure management are still limited.
Technical challenges for SSM
Some major challenges remain to be addressed. We herewith invite readers to provide ideas and experiences on how to tackle the following challenges:
• Preventing the gradual acidification of soils is the most difficult challenge for sustaining soil fertility in the hills. At least one third of the soils have an inherent low soil pH and these
soils will acidify further if inorganic fertiliser use expands and organic matter applications are reduced.
• Increasing phosphorous availability is another major challenge for SSM in the hills. Many soils have considerable P-reserves. A large part of the available P is linked to organic matter dynamics (“organic P”) and the management of such P-pools, in particular in acidic soils, needs  to be explored.
Experiences with mycorrhiza application or P-mobilizing crops may be relevant.
• Organic pest and disease management, in particular of soil pests and soil-borne diseases, is required to manage soil fertility and soil health in an integrated approach. Experiences on the control of white grubs and red ant, in particular, and organic vegetable management in general are welcome.
Research over the past 5 years has confirmed the need for a com- bined use of different management practices to maintain or improve soil fertility under an “Integrated Plant Nutrient Management System” (IPNS). A joint effort between staff from the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, the Department of Agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and various NGOs was initiated in 2001 to design and implement Farmer Field Schools on IPNS. Preliminary field trials indicate that the use of external inputs can be reduced to at least one half or can even be eliminated (using urine instead of urea) without yield reduction. More than 20 Farmer Field Schools on IPNS are under implementation in 2002.

Methodological opportunities
The promotion of SSM is not only based on technical interventions but is also a social process. Organisations working with SSMP use various approaches, methods and techniques in the promotion of SSM. Some have gone through a cycle of learning and improvements over the past years. This process continues, while the following conclusions can be drawn:
• Indigenous and new knowledge: Women and men farmers have confidence in their indigenous knowledge. New knowledge complements indigenous knowledge. Thus, methods of
extension that build on discussion and interactive learning among farmers are most appropriate. Commonly known visual tools for soil characterisation (e.g. pH-paper, hydrogen peroxide, litter bags, erosion boxes) proved essential for stimulating discussion. The Farmer Field School approach for IPNS is centred around such a learning process.
• Soil fertility and land productivity: The farmers’ concept of  soil fertility is closely linked to land productivity as shown by various surveys. Farmers’ interest in SSM-practices is much higher, if these are closely linked with complementary practices for increased soil productivity (e.g. vegetable plus better  manure).
• Farmer-led experimentation: Farmers need to integrate new practices into their highly heterogenous hill farming systems. Methods of farmer-led experimentation were explored in
2000/2001 by some organisations. Simple experiments on inter cropping, crop arrangements, manure or urine use were most common. This proved to be effective in increasing farmers’ role and commitment in the overall testing and diffusion process. Experiences were shared  with others and over 30 organisations have started supporting farmer-led experimentation in 2002.

• SSM implications for women and men: Slightly more than 50%  of all farmers participating in the field activities were women. However, this quantitative participation did not prove to be sufficient, particularly in more traditional communities.Thus, efforts were initiated to assess with farmers the implications of adopting specific SSM-practices for women and men farmers. This resulted in the identification of specific actions to address qualitative gender equity, which have become part of the strategy in a technically-oriented programme.

Methodological challenges
• Participatory planning, monitoring  and evaluation (PPME): The introduction of new SSM-practices into traditional and complex farming systems is a gradual process of
testing, adaptation and learning. Participatory surveys in project areas proved to be of a consultative character and were mostly dominated  by staff of organisations. Additionally, surveys were quickly outdated by changes in opportunities and problems perceived by farmers. Thus, a regular process of PPME at the level of the farming community is considered essential to adjust projects to emerging needs and opportunities. SSMP supports this through annual work plans (Activity Proposals) and respective budget allocations to each project. However, the overall process of learning with farmers needs  to be further strengthened. An exchange of experiences on PPME and on the integration of constant learning into project cycles would be appreciated.
• Farmer-to-farmer diffusion: As improvements of local SSM are a result of the integration of new and traditional knowledge and practices, experienced farmers turned out to be the best
local promoters for SSM. Additionally, demand-led extension tends to be more effective and efficient than mandated extension. Thus, a new approach of farmer-to-farmer diffusion is under testing since 2001. The most experienced farmers received additional training so as to enable them to offer their
services as local resource persons. A total of 400 farmers groups are expected to hire the service of these farmers with limited financial support by the projects. More needs  to be learned
about modalities to support demand-led farmer-to-farmer diffusion.

Governmental policies
Recent changes in governmental policies have in general  been supportive of SSM. The termination of fertiliser subsidies, the recognition of organic amendments as fertilisers and the incorporation  of IPNS into the Fertiliser Policy have set a new framework. The recognition and promotion of partnership between public and private  organisations in agricultural development under various policy documents has set the stage for new institutional collaboration. Community forestry has strengthened the confidence in local management mechanisms. These changes were essential for creating a supportive environment. They coincided and were partly a response to a growing strength of civil society actors in the country. The gradual implementation and internalisation of such changes, however, does require continuous efforts and sometimes struggle.

SSMP is coordinated by Helvetas and Intercooperation with support from Government of Nepal and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Presanted By : Sanjib Kirantee Sunuwar ( Ex-Officer of SSMP/ Helvetas)

SALT: Sloping Agricultural Land Technology

SALT:  Sloping Agricultural Land Technology

                             In the Nepalese history, one of the indigenous ethnic groups, the Kiranti, were ruled in Kathmandu valley. However in battle, the Kiranti king and his associates were finally chased to eastern hills of Nepal from Kathmandu valley. Among the Kiranties, Some stayed in Sunkoshi river area, later they were called 'SUNUWAR' as left Kirants, other as Rai in mid Kirants and others as Limbu in east Kirants. Primitively, they used to make some terrace and kitchen gardens for the planting of medicinal plants only but later they started terrace farming as the livelihood sustaining. They prepared the agricultural area by devastating the huge natural jungles through the help of local tools or weapons and made sun dried as well as burned. After that the remaining ashes were used as the sources of Potash or fertilizers. Then they made some checked bars or dams on the sloppy terraces to control the water erosions from the sloppy lands and adopted other different local plantation activities which was used to called as KHORIA (as Slash and burn technology). Later, most of the terraces were changed into rice fields or plan land after regular leveling it in every years where the land are irrigation facilities. Even still in bucolic Nepalese context, KHORIA is existing. However, it can be explored simultaneously with 'slish and burn' technology which is locally called ' KHORIA PHADNE' and this Sloping Agricultural Land Technology or SALT is also a derived form of the KHORIA making tradition as the improved technology. 
SALT is a way of farming that can turn a sloping parcel of land into a highly productive upland farm. As a proven system of upland farming, SALT has certain advantages over both the traditional techniques of slash-and-burn (Nepalese agriculture) and conventional terrace farming. SALT enables farmers to stabilize and enrich the soil and to grow food crops economically. There is also a reduced need for expensive inputs like chemical fertilizers. In like manner, the SALT scheme is tailored for small family farms and for raising both annual food crops and permanent crops. Also, it is culturally acceptable because the farming techniques are in harmony with the beliefs and traditional practices of local people. Furthermore, it has proven applicable to most of the regions throughout the hilly mahabharat region. In addition, SALT also conserves soil moisture and reduces pests and diseases. Moreover, it replaces an ugly eroded hillside with a terraced and green landscape. But most important of all, to a financially harried farmer, the technology can increase the annual income to almost threefold after only a period of five years.

How to use SALT

SALT is a simple, applicable, low-cost but effective way of farming hilly lands without losing top soil to erosion. It consists of ten basic steps as discussed briefly below:

1.   Making the A-frame. The A-frame is a simple device for laying out contour lines across the slope. It is made of a spirit level and a three wooden or bamboo poles (two should be about one meter long each and one about one-half meter long) nailed or tied together in the shape of a capital letter A with a base of about 90 centimetres. The spirit level is mounted on the crossbar.

2.   Finding the contour lines. One leg of the A-frame is planted on the ground, then the other leg is swung until the spirit level shows that both legs are touching the ground on the same level. A helper drives a stake beside the frame's rear (first) leg. The same level finding process is repeated with stakes every 5- meter distance along the way until one complete contour line is laid out, and until the whole slope is covered. Each contour line is spaced from 4 to 6 meters apart for a steep hill, and 7 to 10 meters apart for a more gradual one.

3.   Cultivating the contour lines. One-meter strips along contour lines are ploughed and harrowed until ready for planting. The stakes serve as guide during ploughing.

4.   Plant nitrogen-fixing trees. On each prepared contour line, make two furrows one-half meter apart. Plant the seeds of leguminous trees like Leucaena leucocephala, Flemingia congesta, Leucaena diversifolia, Calliandra callothyrsus, or Sesbania grandiflora. Branches of Gliricidia sepium can also be used. One furrow can be planted with say, L. leucocephala, and other furrow with F. congesta. Always use a combination of various tree species to minimize the risks of pest attacks like e.g. by psyllids. The seeds are firmly covered with soil. Where time is of no importance, the trees can be left to grow until they are four to five meters high, which by then should form a shade that will kill the grasses and eliminate the need for cutting grasses.

5.   Planting the permanent crops. The space of the land between the thick double rows of nitrogen-fixing trees is called a strip, where the crops are planted. Permanent crops may be planted at the same time the seeds of leguminous trees are sown. Only the strips for planting are cleared and dug; and later, only ring weeding is employed until the nitrogen fixing trees are large enough to hold the soil for full cultivation to commence. Permanent crops are planted in one strip out of every four. This refers to strips 1, 4, 7, 10 and so on. Coffee, banana, citrus, cacao, and others of the same height are good examples of permanent crops. Tall crops are planted at the bottom of the hill and the shorter ones are planted at the top.

6.   Cultivating alternate strips. The soil can be cultivated even before the nitrogen-fixing trees are fully grown. Cultivation is done on alternate strips, on strips 2, 5, 8 and so on. The uncultivated strips collect the soil that erodes from higher cultivated strips. When the nitrogen-fixing trees are fully grown, every strip can be cultivated.

7.   Planting the short-term crops. Short- and medium-term income producing crops are planted between strips of permanent crops as source of food and regular income, while waiting for the permanent crops to bear fruit. Suggested crops are pineapple, ginger, sweet potato, peanuts, sorghum, corn, melons, squash, and up land rice, etc.

8.   Trimming the nitrogen-fixing trees. Once a month, the continuously growing nitrogen-fixing trees are cut down at a height of one meter from the ground. Cut nitrogen-fixing leaves and twigs are always piled at the base of the crops. They serve as an excellent organic fertilizer for the plants. In this way, only minimal amounts of commercial fertiliser, if any, are necessary.

9.   Management. The non-permanent crops are always rotated to maintain productivity, fertility and good soil formation. A good way of doing this is to plant grains (sorghum, corn, upland rice, etc.), tubers (sweet potato, cassava, etc.) and other crops (pineapple, squash, melons, etc.) in strips where legumes (beans, peanuts, pulses, etc.) were planted previously and vice versa. Other crop management practices such as weeding, insect and weed control, are also done regularly.

10.  Building green terraces. To enrich the soil and effectively control erosion, straws, stalks, twigs, branches, leaves, rocks and stones are piled at the base of the thick rows of nitrogen-fixing trees. As the years go by, strong, permanent and naturally green terraces will be formed which hold the soil in place.

Many agricultural research centers, agricultural organizations, colleges and universities in the Nepal are putting up their own SALT farms as the demonstration. Beside Nepal, other countries like Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, Bangladesh, New Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, the Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Ghana, Thailand, Australia and Japan have also adopted this SALT for the possible management of hillside landscapes in their countries. 

General Ethnic Sunuwar Language By Sanjib Kirantee Sunuwar

Sunuwar (कोँइच / Kõits), a member of the Kiranti branch of the Tibeto-Burman language family spoken by about 40,000 people in eastern Nepal and Sikkim, where it is an official language. It is also known as Kõits-Lo (कोँइच लो / kõica lo), Mukhiya (मुखिया / mukhiyā) and Kiranti-Kõits (किराँती-कोँइच / kirā̃tī-kõica). The native name for the language is Kõits (कोँइच / kõica,), which is also written Koinch, Koincha and Koints.

·         Namaste ! : Nawasewal !

·         What is your name ? : Enke rimshyo ne ?

·         My name is Sanjib. : Aane Sanjib ho.

·         What do you job ? :  Mar ge pacha damba ?

·         I studying in college. : Campus ma renne rene chhu.

·         Come here ! : Yekyu onth pine yen !

·         Congratulation to you ! : Yekyu ankali barshila chha !

·         Sorry ! : Panchu puinla !

·         That’s OK (reply in  Sorry): Panchu lila hai !

·         Happy new year ! : Nak thochena  jemlanyu !

·         Best wishes ! : Jemla gabi !

·         See you again ! : Lensha glumchadum !

·         Thank you ! : Cheredum !

·         Ok, thank you ! : Cherelil !

Note: Please follow this link for mote details about the scripts and languages
1. http://www.omniglot.com/writing/jenticha.htm 
2. http://www.omniglot.com/writing/tikamuli.htm
3. http://scriptsource.org/cms/scripts/page.php?item_id=script_detail&uid=mrqq6uxjlx
4. http://glyphs.webfoot.com/blog/2011/05/02/tikamuli-2005-nepal/
5. http://std.dkuug.dk/jtc1/sc2/wg2/docs/n3963.pdf

 Additional information about the Sunuwar (Koicha)
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunwar_language
2. http://www.ethnologue.com/language/suz
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noGlGyw7w4s

                                 -COPIED -

Vermiculture: Indoor Composting and Organic Soil Improvement

Keywords: vermiculture, vermicomposting, vegetable gardening, organic gardening, soil improvement
Maybe you’ve never heard the term vermiculture, if so don’t feel bad, many experienced gardeners are unfamiliar with this organic practice. I think vermiculture is fascinating; simply put it’s the process of composting kitchen waste with earthworms. We’re not talking about common night crawlers, but special varieties of worms such as red worms, and red wigglers.
I’ll admit to owning an ant farm when I was a kid, but this is so much more practical. Vermiculture, or vermicomposting as its also known is more like beekeeping; yes I’ve given that a try too. But just imagine for a second, you feed the worms your leftover garbage and kitchen scraps. The worms then quickly eat all those leftovers, sparing you the hassles of taking out the garbage.
And here’s the best part, while the composting worms are disposing of your garbage, they’re also producing a terrific organic fertilizer and soil conditioner called earthworm castings. Well, okay… the term earthworm casting is just a nice name for earthworm excrement. I don’t know who thought up the term earthworm castings, but I guess it makes sense if you think it through.
You may have seen worm castings for sale at your local garden center and didn’t realize what you were dealing with, but now you know. Don’t worry, earthworm castings are clean, odorless, and sterile… trust me on this one. You don’t need gloves or a shovel to handle them, and they are wonderful for improving your soil quality and for promoting the growth and health of all your plants.
So you can purchase bags of earthworm castings to use around the garden or if you’re a little more adventurous you can set up an “earthworm farm” and produce your own. The farm is actually just a worm bin that can be set up indoors or outdoors depending on the climate.
Vermicomposting isn’t complicated, but the worms are living creatures, and have certain requirements. For example they don’t tolerate extremely hot living conditions, and they also won’t survive freezing. The worms are pretty healthy eaters, so while eggshells are fine, don’t try slipping any meat, fats, or greasy foods into their diet.
If this sounds a little like having a pet, well it is. Not terribly demanding, but they do require a little of your attention to make sure that things run smoothly. In exchange they’ll be hard at work performing their community service to save the environment and to help you grow a better garden.
Kids love vermicomposting and some schools even include vermiculture as part of the curriculum. For those of you wishing that they had grown up with a worm bin instead of that ant farm, it’s not too late to try one out. You can find plans for building homemade bins or you can purchase fancy multi level bins over the Internet. And unlike those ant farms, you can have your bin delivered complete with the composting worms.
If you’re up for the challenge and interested in recycling your family’s kitchen waste into a valuable fertilizer and soil conditioner, try your hand at vermiculture. During long winters, it may even help to pass the time until you can get back out into the garden.



Vermiculture is the management of worms
It defines the thrilling potential for waste reduction, fertilizer production, as well as an assortment of possible uses for the future. Vermiculture enhances the growth of plants that provide food along with producing prosperous and financially rewarding fertilizer.


The earthworm is one of nature's pinnacle "soil scientists." Earthworms are liberated, cost effective farm relief. The worms are accountable for a variety of elements including turning common soil into superior quality. Worms facilitate the amount of air and water that travels into soil. They break down organic matter and when they eat, they leave behind castings that are an exceptionally valuable type of fertilizer.

Charles Darwin's primal struggle to survive and reproduce entailed the terminal disappearance called extinction (extinction being the death of the species and so the death of deaths). Darwin was haunted by irredeemable loss and studied the benefits of worms over one hundred years ago. Today, his foresight on the topic of Vermiculture (worms) has influenced the profit margin for many farmers across the country.







How to build a worm bin

Worm bins are designed for composting food wastes using red worms (Eisenia Foetida). Vegetable and fruit scraps from the kitchen are added on a regular basis; the worms eat the food waste and turn it into compost.
What you need
• a container that is wide and shallow
• red worms
• bedding
• fruit and vegetable scraps from your kitchen
How you do it
Fill the container three-quarters full with moistened bedding. Add the worms. Pull aside some of the bedding, bury the food waste and cover it up.
What happens
During a period of two to three months, the worms and microorganisms eat the food waste and bedding and produce a rich compost.
Worm bins – four steps
1. The container and the worms
Build a wooden worm bin (use the plans in this brochure), buy a plastic tub with a lid, or use an old trunk or drawer. Wooden containers are absorbent and good insulators. Plastic containers maintain a constant moisture level but may get too wet.
The container should be between 8 and 16 inches deep, with holes drilled in the bottom and sides for aeration and drainage. The bin design in this brochure will accommodate about one pound of red worms (1,000 to 2,000 worms) and process about seven pounds of fruit and vegetable scraps each week. Raise the bin on bricks or wooden blocks for air circulation and to protect from freezing in winter. Place a tray underneath to capture any excess moisture.
Cover the bin to conserve moisture and provide darkness for the worms. Place a sheet of dark plastic on top of the bedding to retard moisture loss and discourage fruit flies.
Worm bins may be located outdoors, or in the basement, shed, garage, balcony or under the kitchen counter. They need to be kept moist, dark and out of hot sun. When temperatures drop below freezing, bins should be moved indoors or be well-insulated.
There are local and mail order suppliers of red worms. Red worms are recommended because they quickly and efficiently process food waste into vermicompost. These worms will probably not survive in your garden. Most suppliers sell red worms by the pound. Availability of worms may fluctuate seasonally. A list of suppliers is available from Metro Recycling Information.
2. The bedding
Suitable bedding materials include shredded newspaper or cardboard, brown leaves, straw, peat moss and/or sawdust. Mix more than one bedding item in the bin to create an environment with spaces for air and to allow easy movement by the worms. Fill the bin three-quarters full with bedding that has been moistened so it is as wet as a wrung out sponge. Add a handful of dirt to provide necessary grit for the worms' digestion. Cover the bedding with a dark sheet of plastic to maintain a constant moisture level and discourage fruit flies. During the course of several months, the worms will eat the bedding. Add more moistened bedding as necessary to maintain the bin at three-quarters full.
3. Food waste
Do feed your worms
• vegetable scraps
• coffee grounds and filters
• tea bags and filters
• limited amounts of old bread (no butter, mayonnaise)
• fruit peels or pulp
Do not feed your worms
• meat
• fish
• dairy products
• greasy or oily foods
• pet wastes
To avoid odor or pest problems, do not compost meats, dairy products, oily foods or grains. When adding food waste to the bin, pull aside some of the bedding and bury the food. Bury successive loads in different locations in the bin.
4. Harvesting your compost and cleaning out the bin
After several months, there should be a marked reduction in the amount of bedding in the bin. Dark, crumbly compost castings will have collected in a layer on the bottom of the bin. It is time to remove some of the finished compost and add new bedding.
The quickest method is to build fresh bedding on one side of the bin and feed the worms on that side only. Wait two weeks until the worms have migrated to that side, then move the bedding from the whole bin to that side. Remove the finished compost from the "worm-free" side of the bin. Use the compost on your house plants, seedlings or for general garden use.
Add new moistened bedding to the empty side of the bin. Next time you add food, put it in the new bedding. The worms will migrate into the new bedding to eat the food.
After several more months, repeat the procedure to remove the finished compost from the other side of the bin.
Common problems
Odor
To avoid unpleasant odors
• add only enough food that the worms can eat in a few days
• maintain air spaces in the bedding
• keep bedding moist but not wet
• add only the proper food items
Fruit flies
To discourage fruit flies
• bury the food waste in the bedding
• place a dark plastic sheet over the bedding
• put the bin in a location where a few fruit flies will not bother anyone
Too hot or too cold
Excessive heat, above 90 degrees or excessive cold, below freezing, can cause the worms to die. If your worm bin is outdoors, insulate it during the heat of summer and the coldest part of winter with straw, brown leaves or an old blanket thrown over the bin. Moving an outdoor bin into the garage or shed will provide protection during hot or cold spells.
Build your own worm bin
This bin will accommodate one pound of worms and handle the food waste for a family of four. It can be built for about $45. To request a brochure with illustrated directions, call Metro Recycling Information at (503) 234-3000 or send e-mail to mri@metro.dst.or.us
Tools
• tape measure
• skill saw or rip hand saw
• hammer
• saw horses
• long straight edge or chalk snap line
• screwdriver
• chisel
• wood glue
• drill with 1/2-inch bit
Use eye and ear protection
Materials
• one 1/2-inch sheet of plywood (treated wood is not recommended)
• one 14-foot utility 2x4
• one 16-foot utility 2x4
• one pound 4d galvanized nails
• 1/4 pound 16d galvanized nails
• one piano hinge with screws
Construction of the bin
Measure and cut plywood as indicated in drawing below. To make base, cut the 14-foot 2x4 into five pieces; two 48 inches and three 20 inches long. The remaining 12-inch piece will be used to make the sides. Nail the 2x4s together on edge with two 16d nails at each joint as illustrated in the base frame diagram. Nail the plywood base piece onto the 2x4 frame using the 4d nails.
To build the box, cut three 12-inch pieces from the 16-foot 2x4. Place a 1-foot 2x4 under the end of each side panel so that the 2x4 is flush with the top and side edges of the plywood, and nail the boards into place. Nail the side pieces onto the base frame. To complete the box, nail the ends onto the base and sides. To reinforce the box, place a nail at least every 3 inches wherever plywood and 2x4s meet. Drill 12 holes, 1/2 inch in diameter, through the bottom of the box for drainage.
To build the lid, cut the remainder of the 16-foot 2x4 into two 51 inch lengths and two 27-inch pieces. Cut lap joints in the corners, then glue and nail the frame together. Center the plywood on the 2x4 frame and nail with 4d nails. Lay top on ground with plywood touching ground. Attach hinge onto the top and back using the short screws to the top and the long screws to the back. Center the hinge and make sure the screws go through the plywood to the 2x4s.
Summary
A worm bin is an ecosystem. About eight microorganisms will thrive in your bin with the worms. Together they eat, reproduce and make compost. It is your responsibility to maintain an environment conducive for life. The worms, in turn, will thrive, reproduce and generate an enormous quantity of high-quality compost.