City, Hedcor sponsor vermin composting event

By Wilbur S. Suanding

Thirty three backyard pig raisers attended the vermi composting training for pig manure at Balsigan Barangay Hall last Sept. 28 sponsored by the Wastewater, Water and Ambient Air Management Division of the City Environment and Parks Management Office and Hydroelectric Development Corporation (HEDCOR).

Vermi composting is the process of converting organic wastes into a humus-like material known as vermicompost through the action of earthworms.

An epigeic type of earthworm, Eudrilluseugeniaeor African nightcrawler, was used to feed on the manure that will produce a brown-like material called vermicast, which is high in nutrient and can be used as soil conditioner.  Each participant was given a vermin-starter kit and a quartered kilo of earthworms.

Moren Macay, resource speaker and vermiculturist explained the value, steps in producing vermicompost from pig waste and shared his vermiculture experiences.

After the lecture, a testimony was given by Kagawad Leilanie Ignacio of Private Road Magsaysay, participant in August 2011 training, on producing vermin compost and worms from household wastes and helped her relatives and friends by giving a handful of earthworms in reducing their own household wastes.

Aside from processing organic wastes, the technology is considered an alternative approach in waste management that will value the conservation of resources and sustainable practices and turn a waste material in a beneficial soil amendment.