VERMICAST FROM AFRICAN NIGHTCRAWLERS (Eudrilus Eugeniae) AND INNOVATIVE SIFTER MACHINE

FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING

A. Rationale
In recent years, the world has witnessed a significant shift in agricultural practices, driven by the need for
more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches. Synthetic fertilizers, once heralded as agricultural
miracles, have come under scrutiny for their adverse environmental effects (Smith et al., 2020). The overuse of these
fertilizers has led to issues such as nutrient runoff, soil degradation, and even water pollution (Kumar et al., 2022).

Simultaneously, the growth of urban populations has resulted in a surge in organic waste generation,
particularly from households and gardens (Kumar et al., 2022). These waste materials, including kitchen scraps and
garden residues, often end up in landfills, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation.

The study titled "Vermicast from African Nightcrawlers (Eudrilus Eugeniae) and Innovative Sifter Machine for
Sustainable Farming" seeks to address pertinent challenges in contemporary agriculture, offering an eco-conscious
solution to two interconnected problems: organic waste management and sustainable soil enrichment.

The study recognizes the pressing need to find sustainable and efficient ways to manage this burgeoning
organic waste while simultaneously enriching agricultural soils. It draws inspiration from the remarkable composting
abilities of African Nightcrawlers, Eudrilus Eugeniae (Kumar et al., 2022). These earthworms have demonstrated a
unique capacity to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich vermicast fertilizer.

In addition, the study explores the potential of an innovative sifter machine in the vermicomposting process,
with the goal of improving efficiency and productivity. This technology promises to enhance the separation of valuable
vermicast fertilizer from unprocessed materials and worms, thereby increasing resource efficiency (Smith et al.,
2020).

By embarking on this research journey, the study aims to contribute to the development of sustainable
agricultural practices that align with contemporary environmental concerns. It seeks to provide practical answers to
the challenges of organic waste management and soil enrichment in the context of modern farming.

B. Research Questions
The study seeks to address crucial questions related to organic farming, innovative fertilizer production
methods, the proficiency of various substrates, and the impact of utilizing a sifter machine in vermicomposting. By
answering these questions, the study aims to contribute to the promotion of sustainable agriculture and
environmentally friendly practices.

1. How does the composting time of different substrates (kitchen waste, garden waste, banana stalk, mixed waste)
vary when processed with half a kilo of African Nightcrawlers?

1.1) pre - composted Kitchen waste (2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)

1.2) pre - composted Garden waste(2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)

1.3) pre - composted banana stalk(2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)

1.4) mixed pre - composted waste(2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)
2. How much vermicast fertilizer is produced from each substrate when composted with African Nightcrawlers?

1.1) pre - composted Kitchen waste (2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)

1.2) pre - composted Garden waste(2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)

1.3) pre - composted banana stalk(2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)

1.4) mixed pre - composted waste(2kg) with Hog manures (1 1/2 kg)

3. How effective is the innovative sifter machine in separating vermicast fertilizer from undecomposed materials and
worms?

3.1) Vermicast fertilizer from composting mixture sets containing kitchen waste, garden waste, banana stalk,
and mixed waste.

3.2) Incomposable substrates and worms from composting mixture sets containing kitchen waste, garden
waste, banana stalk, and mixed waste.

4. What are the advantages of vermicast fertilizer produced by African Nightcrawlers compared to controlled group
(no vermicast) concerning plant growth, with a focus on height and the number of leaves?

C. Hypotheses
This study seeks to prove if:

1.There is no significant difference in the composting time of the different substrates.

2. There is no significant difference in the quantity of vermicast fertilizer produced among substrates.
3. There is no significant difference in terms of efficiency in separating vermicast fertilizer from composted
materials using innovative sifting machine.
4. There is no significant difference in the advantages of enhancing plant growth between the Vermicast
fertilizer produced by African Nightcrawlers and the controlled group (no vermicast).

D. Procedures

1. Sifter Machine
The researchers will ask the guidance of a skilled carpenter to build the sifter. The design of the build that
will be used will be sourced from Captain Matt and the Worm People (2022). The materials that will be used are
20×10 inches Liso, 9 1/2 inch plywood, hammer, #1 nails, #2 nails, #3 nails, wood (stick well), sawmill, chainsaw,
screwdriver, squala, screws 8×11, saw, wood planer, grinder, gemilina woods, meter, 2 screen (2 types), recycled
washing machine motor, liso cutter, portable electronic scale.

2. Vermicomposting
The researchers will prepare 4kgs of African Nightcrawers (Eudrilus Eugeniae) to be used decomposing
different substrates. Other materials include 4 containers, kitchen waste), garden waste (2kg), banana stalk(2kg),
mixed biodegradable waste(2kg), hog manures(6kg) and African Nightcrawlers (2kg). All substrates will be
pre-composted for five days. When finished, one and a half kilograms of hog manure and half kilograms of African
Nightcrawlers will be added. The process will be documented through pictures and listing observations every week. A
time table will used to record the time it consumes for African Nightcrawlers to finish de-composting the substrates.
3. Sifting Vermicasts
After completing the composting of various substrates with the help of African Nightcrawlers, the
components, including worms, vermicasts (worm castings), and any remaining materials that the Nightcrawlers
couldn't break down will be harvested and separated using the sifter machine.Each bin containing the composted
mixture will go through the sifting process, where vermicasts are harvested individually, and all separated
components are quantified using a weighing scale. The initial weight of the composted mixtures is recorded before
sifting to determine the vermicast content accurately.

4. Planting Pechay
The materials that will be needed are pechay (Brassica rapa) seeds, a seedling tray with 75 seedlings
capacity, and rake. The seeds will be planted in the seedling tray for 7 days, then will be transferred to soil with no
fertilizer in a group of five with 10 seedlings each. Four groups will be treated with fertilizer from the different
substrates on the second and eighth day after being transferred. The fifth group will be the controlled group, receiving
no fertilizer. All pechay plants will have enough exposure to sunlight. The treatments, management, and changes of
weather condition will be recorded. The growth of the plants will be observed, and the researchers will measure the
number of leaves and the height of plants every other day to see the difference of growth upon applying different
fertilizers compared to plants treated without any fertilizers.

E. Risk and Safety

The researchers will use gloves and shovels when handling African Nightcrawlers and researchers used
gloves and shovels when handling African Nightcrawlers and substrates to minimize the risk of exposure to the mild
tetrodotoxin found in the worms. The sifter machine will be made with the help and guidance of professionals to
ensure safe operation. All the tools and materials used were properly stored, asubtle wastes were disposed with
consideration to proper segregation.

F. Data Analysis
The data gathered will be analyzed using different ways. The data concerning composting time, amount of
vermicast fertilizer produced, and the growth of plants gathered through observation and measurement will be
analyzed by organizing it using a table chart and comparing the data. While the effectiveness of the sifter machine
will be analyzed through picture analysis.

G. Bibliography

Agriculture 2021, 11(4), 362; Research on the Physical Characteristic Parameters of Banana Bunches for the Design
and Development. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11040362.

Blakemore, R. (November 25, 2015). Eco- Taxonomic Profile of an Iconic Vermicomposter - the African Nightcrawlers
'Earthworm, Eudrilus Eugeniae'.
https://bioone.org/journals/AfricanInvertebrates/volume-56/issue3/afin.056.0302/Eco-Taxonomic-Profile-of-an-Iconic-
Vermicomposter-the-African/10.5733/afin.056.0302.full.

Cariaso B. (November 6, 2022). Farmers' group. High Inflation will kill us.
http://www-manilatimes-net.cdn.ampproject.oig/v/s/www.manilatimes.net/2022/11/06/nais/faimas-group-high-inflation-
m11-killus/18651831am?amp_ gsa.

Kumar, A., Singh, V. K., Tripathi, R. M., & Jha, P. (2022). Vermicomposting: A Sustainable Approach for Recycling of
Organic Wastes—A Review. Environmental Sustainability, 5(2), 509-523.

Smith, J., Newlands, N. K., & Grant, B. B. (2020). Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Potential in
the Context of the 4‰ Initiative. Advances in Agronomy, 160, 1-50