1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Kathmandu University (KU) - Nepal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Technology for converting biodegradable waste into organic manure with the help of earthworms

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Vermicomposting or worm composting is a simple technique that is used to convert the biodegradable waste into organic manure with the help of earthworms or other worms. Great care should be given in the process, since it is prepared by earthworm and are very sensitive to the external environment. The compost prepared after vermicomposting may be much beneficial as a fertilizer. It has low capital cost and operating cost. It provides excellent employment, beside the best technology it is eco friendly.

Purpose of the Technology: This technology is mainly focused on management of 64% of organic waste produced everyday. It has contributed in vegetative waste management.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The establishment of this technology was taken into consideration after many researches a decade ago. Once the set up is made to perform a vermi culture the maintenance in 3-4 months in necessary. But the maintenance is not difficult as it can be done in a very small space.

Natural / human environment: For this culture to go on smoothly there exists some natural conditions. The moisture contents should be maintained in the vessel in addition to temperature not more than 28-32°C.
In addition the vermi composting should also be given adequate safety by human. The domestic animals and other should be kept far away from the area of composing because they would harm earthworm which plays te most important role in composting. The vessel shouldn't be more than 2 ft in height.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• access to fertilizer

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

major cash crop: Rice and potato
major food crop: Maize and cauliflower

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): - mixed household waste
- difficulty in separation of organic and inorganic waste.
-pollution created due to waste (vegetative and agricultural)
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): -crop productivity is limited by poor soil fertility
-intense cropping, and a scarcity of irrigation water
-decrease in the health of their crops and degraded soil conditions when chemical fertilizers are overused

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management
• beekeeping, aquaculture, poultry, rabbit farming, silkworm farming, etc.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: industrial activities and mining, Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (it cause erosion of top soil), population pressure
Secondary causes of degradation: soil management, crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), change in temperature (denaturation of nutrients), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …), governance / institutional

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	container with lid
2.	earthworm
3.	straw, paper or cloth

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Equipment	Container with lid	pieces	1.0	62.5	62.5
Equipment	Earthworm	worms	625.0	0.02	12.5
Equipment	Straw, paper or cloth	kg	2.0	0.9	1.8
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					76.8
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					76.8

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	moisture maintenance	once a day
2.	hatching	once in 3-4 months
3.	vegetative waste	added everyday for 1-2 months

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Moisture maintenance	persons/month	1.0	1.5	1.5
Labour	Hatching	persons/3 month	1.0	1.5	1.5
Equipment	Vegetative waste	kg	2.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					3.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					3.0

Comments:

Costs calculated on the basis of earthworms used and some of the tools used.
The container used in Kathmandu metropolitan, Teku is of measurement 2.4384 m in length and 0.6096 m in width which gives about 500 kg of compost after few months.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The number of earthworm used for composting affect the cost.

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is very high
Soil drainage / infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
10% of the land users are rich.
60% of the land users are average wealthy.
30% of the land users are poor.
Level of mechanization: Tractor use.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• group
• individual, not titled

• government

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Comments:

land and water resources are used fro communal property

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Comments:

- more variety of earthworm.
- new design for the base formation.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

The vermi composting has many benefits compared to harms and is very economical in any way.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Management of solid waste, reduces cost of waste management.
utilization of organic waste.
helps to generate income.
very economical and gives best manure for food crops.
no much labour.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Vermi culture is not wide spread even within a community.	Awareness to a high priority is required.
No segregation from household level.	Governmental efforts should be given priority.
No sufficient market.	Priority from all the sectors is important.
Process can be quicker only in the presence of more labour.	Different technical support can help to make it quicker.
Vulnerable to environment pressure such as temp, drought, etc.	Regular maintenance is required.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Technical manuals:Community mobilization unitKathmandu Metropolitan

Available from where? Costs?

Teku, Kathmandu