Earthworms turn agricultural waste into nutrient-rich vermicompost, boosting Ethiopian agriculture.
Vermicomposting with different types of earthworms can turn agricultural waste into rich compost. In Ethiopia, native and exotic earthworms were studied for their ability to transform waste into nutrient-rich compost. The earthworms improved the quality of the compost by reducing acidity and increasing nutrient levels. Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida were best for cow manure mixed with soybean and banana residues, while Eisenia andrei worked well with cow manure mixed with maize and soybean residues. The compost had higher levels of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, and increased microbial activity. Overall, vermicomposting with earthworms can help turn agricultural waste into valuable compost for farming.