In each shed here, vermicompost production goes on quietly. The main workers in this factory are earthworms. Known as nature's plough, this small, beneficial creature eats organic matter, and its castings are worm compost, or vermicompost.

Vermicompost contains about 7 to 10 per cent more nutrients than other organic fertilisers. An ideal vermicompost contains 1.57 per cent nitrogen, 1.26 per cent phosphorus, 2.60 per cent potash, 0.74 per cent sulphur, 0.66 per cent magnesium, 0.06 per cent boron, 18 per cent organic carbon, 15 to 25 per cent water and small amounts of hormones. It increases the soil's water-holding capacity and aeration, raising soil fertility.

Thinking of soil health, brothers Iftekhar Selim Ogni and Sultanuzzaman Titu began producing vermicompost on a large scale.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.