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

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

Comments:

Farmers who have used vermicompost and vermijuice have recorded good harvests and there are no adverse impacts on their farms.

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

Community Resource Persons (CRP) in agricultural extension [Kenya]

Community Resource Persons (CRP) form a farmer-to-farmer learning approach that bridges the gap in agricultural extension, increases farmers' access to agricultural information (SLM knowledge), and increases the adoption of SLM practices.

• Compiler: William Akwanyi
• 03/15/2023 2:31 p.m.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Vermicomposting is an on-farm waste management strategy where worms are used for biodecomposition of wastes to produce a natural liquid fertilizer and pesticide.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Vermitechnology is biodecomposition of wastes using worms such as red wigglers. It includes vermicomposting (production of compost) and vermiculture (production of worms to ensure sustainability of the enterprise).
A vermicomposting structure is installed under shade and covered with a black polythene sheet to protect worms from the heat of the sun, and to prevent volatilization of nitrogen. The structure itself can be made by cutting a 60 cm radius and 120 cm height drum into two halves lengthwise. The half to be used must be thoroughly cleaned of oil or chemical residue. A hole is drilled at one end of the half drum for the installation of a tap. A base is made using wooden rails fastened on wooden posts using nails. The container is angled at 30° with the outlet pipe or tap on the lower side to allow free flow of leachate/ vermijuice. Materials are introduced in the half drum, including a gunny sheet covering the entire inside surface and ends hanging outside on the edges of the drum, a 7 cm layer of small stones followed by a 0.5 cm layer of sand on the stones, 10 cm layer of bedding materials on the sand, and 10 cm layer of worm food (kitchen and/ or animal wastes) on the bedding material. 20 litres of water are evenly sprinkled on the worm food. The worms and casts are introduced and evenly spread on the food. A bucket is placed at the outlet to collect drops of vermijuice.
Bedding materials include maize cobs, chopped maize straw, agroforestry tree bark, husks, old cartons and paper, and sugarcane bagasse. Temperature and humidity are checked by a thermometer and a hydrometer respectively. However, temperature can be checked by hand also. It is advisable that food (waste) is decomposed before being added onto the bedding material to maintain the temperature within the desired range of 15 - 20°C. Worms coil at the top of the material whenever temperatures go higher. Humidity is often higher in culture bins than in composting beds. Hence, more leachate in culture bins than in composting beds. However, humidity content in both culture bins and composting beds should not exceed 60% since the worms can take in a lot of water and die.

Feeding of the worms is done every 2 weeks where a mixture of 1 kg of chopped fresh tithonia, 3 kg of fresh cow dung, and 3 kg of cooked maize meal (“ugali”) is added and evenly spread on the decomposing material. Collected juice is returned to the system every 2 weeks for a period of 2 months. After the 2 months, the juice will be ready for use as folia fertilizer and pesticide. The casts become ready manure after about 2.5 - 3 weeks. It is harvested by dividing the container into 2 equal halves widthwise and not introducing food to the upper half to make the worms concentrate on materials on the lower half. The worm-free compost on the upper part is completely removed to be used as manure. The remaining material containing the worms is spread uniformly in the half drum. Worm food is then added evenly spread on top.
The system described above produces about 30 kg of ready-to-use compost and about 10 litres of vermijuice in 3 months. Provided that all inputs are available, a farmer can produce vermicompost and vermijuice 4 times from the same system in a year i.e., 40 litres of vermijuice and 120 kgs of ready-to-use compost in a year. Normally, a one-acre (0.4ha) farm requires about 20 tonnes of compost for planting maize. Vermijuice is mixed with water in the ratio of 1 part of vermijuice to 10 parts of water when required as a folia fertilizer and in the ratio of 1 part of vermijuice to 5 parts of water when required as a pesticide. 20 – 30 litres of vermijuice can be applied to a 0.4 ha farm. However, the amount required for fertilizer varies from farm to farm depending on the conditions of the soil and the crop(s) to be grown. It is important that soil testing is done to determine the conditions of the soil to ensure that the compost is added at the correct rate.
Vermicomposting requires less space and less maintenance labour compared to normal composting. It takes a shorter time to get compost from vermicomposting than from normal composting. On the other hand, large farms would require the installation of several vermicomposting units in order to meet the farm demand. The choice of either technology or both depends on a number of factors, including the size of the farm, the amount of compost required, the time required to produce the compost, etc.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Kenya

Region/ State/ Province:

Kakamega County in western Kenya

Further specification of location:

Matora A Village, Ebukuti Sub-location, Manyala Location, Marama South Ward, Butere Sub-county

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Comments:

The are no protected areas within the area i.e., sub-county

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2017

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

ProSoil project under WHH as the implementing partner

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agro-silvopastoralism

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• vegetables - other
• vegetables - leafy vegetables (salads, cabbage, spinach, other)
• legumes and pulses - beans
• root/tuber crops - sweet potatoes, yams, taro/cocoyam, other

Annual cropping system:

Maize/sorghum/millet intercropped with legume

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• banana/plantain/abaca
• fodder crops - grasses
• passiflora - passion fruit, maracuja

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• avocado
• fruits, other
• mango, mangosteen, guava
• papaya

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Crops planted during long and short rain seasons.

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Maize and beans

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Some sections of the farm are left fallow during the short rains to allow for soil regeneration.

Grazing land

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:

• Improved pastures

Animal type:

• goats
• cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)
• poultry

Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Cattle dung and poultry droppings are used as inputs in vermicomposting. Compost is applied on soil where livestock fodder is planted.

Products and services:

• economic security, investment prestige
• milk
• eggs
• meat

Species:

cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)

Count:

2

Species:

goats

Count:

3

Species:

poultry

Count:

4

Comments:

There are assorted trees on the farm, and these provide litter that is an input in composting.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Crops are planted all year round due to availability of irrigation water from Eshiatukha and Luanda streams which supplement rain water.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management
• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)
• waste management/ waste water management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
• A6: Residue management

A6: Specify residue management:

A 6.3: collected

Comments:

Some plant residues, especially leaves are collected and used as input in vermicomposting.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

• Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
• Ca: acidification
• Cp: soil pollution
• Cs: salinization/ alkalinization

biological degradation

• Bp: increase of pests/ diseases, loss of predators

Comments:

Compost and vermijuice stabilize soil pH and have potential to suppress some soil-born plant pathogens that would have caused plant diseases.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Prevents pathogens

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

KES

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

122.95

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

The system described above produces about 30 kg of ready-to-use compost and about 10 litres of vermijuice in 3 months. The farmer should have the structure ready with all materials except food for the worms before procuring the worms.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

7000.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The ProSoil project provided the worms

Comments:

The farmer was unable to break down the costs of the listed items. The costs refer to the equipment described in 2.2. The cost is in Ksh/ KES equivalent to 56.93 USD.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

Temperature and humidity are checked by a thermometer and a hydrometer respectively.

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

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

2000.0

Comments:

The farmer was unable to break down the costs of the listed items. The cost is in Ksh/ KES equivalent to 16.27 USD.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Rate of man-days vary from one place to another. It is not easy to attach monetary value to some of the input e.g., wastes and water.

Exchange rate for January 2023, source: European Commission/ InfoEuro online at https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/procedures-guidelines-tenders/information-contractors-and-beneficiaries/exchange-rate-inforeuro_en

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The farm is located at an area that is lower in altitude compared to other areas in the larger area. The altitude of the farm is 1,319 meters above sea level.

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 pH of most farms in the area ranges from moderately acid (4) to moderately alkaline (7).

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

There are several boreholes in the area and according to interviews with some borehole owners, the depts are not more than 50 metres.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The area has high agrobiodiversity since most farms are under crops and trees.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The farmer uses the land together with his other family members.

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

Specify:

Each landowner has full control of the way he/ she wants to use his/ her land.

Comments:

The farmer has an official title deed for his piece of land. He also leases other people's pieces of land for farming. Water in the streams such as Eshiatukha and Luanda and springs is freely accessed without restrictions. There is a borehole in the neighbourhood, and the managers of this borehole have set rules for accessing the water thereat.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

Comments:

The above rating varies from one village to the other.

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

No recorded data is available for reference. All are estimates based on the farmer's explanation or as given by him.

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Biological disasters

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:

Use of vermicompost and vermijuice reduces the farmer's dependence on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

The project was implemented in the entire ward. Very few farmers have vermicomposting structures.

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

Most farmers are not implementing yet they were taken through the vermicomposting training by the ProSoil project.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

other (specify):

Design

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

The farmer does not fit taps on the composting structures as outlets for the vermijuice since someone can accidentally close the tap and forget to open, especially during humidity checking leading to high humidity which can cause the death of the worms.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Kakamega County Integrated Development Plan, 2018-2022

Available from where? Costs?

Free download at https://kakamega.go.ke/public-participation-county-development-plans/

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Vermicompost Suppression of Pythium Aphanidermatum Seedling Disease: Practical Applications and an Exploration of The Mechanisms of Disease Suppression

URL:

https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/31195/alh54.pdf;sequence=1

7.4 General comments

1. Provide a function to be able to link the documented SLM to similar work that has been documented in other databases e.g., LandPortal, UNCCD, etc.
2. Some of the impacts (section 6) cannot be quantified.