Effectiveness of raising earthworms to create biofertilizer

(Baonghean.vn) - The worm farming model of Mr. Tran Duy Lon in Khai Son commune, Anh Son brings in an income of 100-150 million VND/year; people in the area come to learn because of its high economic efficiency and good environmental treatment.

Realizing that the land and local advantages were suitable for developing a farm economy, in 2014, Mr. Tran Duy Lon boldly borrowed 250 million VND from the bank to build a livestock farm on an area of ​​7 hectares of Cho Doc hill in village 8, Khai Son commune.

Initially, he bought 10 cows to raise, but during the raising process, the cows' waste polluted the environment, affecting the surrounding families. To treat the cows' waste, Mr. Lon searched for information on the Internet and found that the earthworm farming model was very suitable; it could help utilize animal waste and decomposed straw as food for earthworms, while also contributing positively to environmental protection.

Earthworm farming model of Mr. Tran Duy Lon in Khai Son commune (Anh Son). Photo: Thai Hien

In 2015, through the introduction of friends, Mr. Lon bought 100 kg of earthworm biomass to raise. While doing it, he also tested it on a small area of ​​about 10 m2.

At first, when he started doing it, Mr. Lon encountered many difficulties due to lack of experience. When the worms were in the development stage, the worm cage was eaten by flying crickets digging holes everywhere and eating all the worms and eggs. Only when he saw the porous surface due to the crickets digging holes did he discover that most of the worms had been eaten.

Learning from his previous failure, this time he focused on protecting the barn from insects and learning about worm farming techniques through books and the Internet. Thanks to that, his worm farming has been smooth sailing; up to now, he has expanded his farming area to 60 square meters.

According to Mr. Tran Duy Lon, raising earthworms is quite simple. The raw materials for raising earthworms are taken advantage of from livestock manure and agricultural by-products such as straw, corn stalks, etc. Worms have the ability to reproduce quickly, feeding worms once every 2-3 days with direct feeding and regular watering to create good conditions for worms to grow. Applying this method, after 1 month, there will be biofertilizer to harvest.

Currently, with an area of ​​60 square meters for raising earthworms, Mr. Lon uses them to supplement the amount of food for 300 chickens per batch. Each year, he sells 2-3 batches of chickens. Photo: Thai Hien

Mr. Lon shared his experience: Earthworms are fond of darkness, so the earthworm breeding floors must be carefully covered and prevented from getting in by toads, crickets, and insects. Currently, with an area of ​​60 square meters for raising earthworms, he uses it to supplement the amount of food for 300 chickens per batch; each year he sells 2-3 batches of chickens.

The broods of chickens that he uses earthworms as supplementary food will reduce 2/3 of the feed cost; shorten the raising time by 1/3. Mr. Lon calculated that each brood of chickens if using industrial feed would cost 17-20 million VND, but when raising earthworms, he saved nearly 15 million VND.

In particular, earthworms are rich in protein, so chickens grow quickly, have good resistance, and are less susceptible to diseases. Moreover, this method of raising earthworms produces clean, safe products for consumers. Raising earthworms also processes waste from livestock and poultry manure, reducing environmental pollution and converting livestock and poultry manure into organic fertilizer for plants.

With an area of ​​7 hectares of hilly land, he planned 5 hectares to grow acacia trees, 200 lemon trees; 2 hectares to build barns to raise 100 pigs per litter, 10 cows, 60 goats, and 300 chickens.

Mr. Tran Duy Lon's integrated farm model brings in an annual income of 100 - 150 million VND. Photo: Thai Hien

The amount of livestock waste is now used to feed earthworms every day, so Mr. Lon does not have to worry about how to handle the waste. After 3 years of establishment, this integrated farm model brings in an annual income of 100-150 million VND. In the near future, Mr. Lon plans to expand the worm farming area to supply to people in the surrounding area.

Ms. Le Thi Thuong - Secretary of the Youth Union of Khai Son commune said: Currently, the model of raising earthworms to get microbial fertilizer combined with developing a comprehensive farm economy of Mr. Tran Duy Lon is visited by many people to learn from his experience.

Thai Hien