Initial results from earthworm farming.

In early 2023, the Da Huoai District Farmers' Association, together with the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank of the district, supported 26 households in implementing a model of raising earthworms combined with livestock and poultry farming. To date, many households have been successful with the model, and have initially provided earthworm biomass to other households to expand the model.

Many households in Da Huoai district have achieved success with the model of raising earthworms combined with livestock and poultry farming.

Households in communes and towns in the area have been provided with 50 kg of earthworm biomass as breeding stock to start earthworm farming. When raising earthworms, the worms are used as feed for livestock such as chickens, fish, frogs, and eels, while the worm castings are used to fertilize vegetables. Furthermore, since earthworms primarily feed on buffalo, cow, pig, and chicken manure, this method both utilizes waste materials as food for the worms and protects the ecological environment.

In Da Huoai district, many households raise livestock and poultry in a small-scale, farm-based manner. Therefore, this model aims to develop a circular economy in agriculture, improve livestock farming efficiency, and introduce methods for producing and using high-quality earthworm-based fertilizers and microbial organic fertilizers for crop care. The goal is to produce safe and sustainable agricultural products and build a green, clean, and beautiful rural environment.

Madagui town has 36 households raising cattle with 71 animals; and 69 households raising pigs with 1,939 animals. Recently, some households in the town have received support in the form of earthworm biomass for livestock farming. Mr. Nguyen Van Hai's family (Residential Group 6), in addition to cultivating 1 hectare of durian, also raises cattle to improve their income.

According to Mr. Hai, since he started raising earthworms, the cow manure has been utilized as food for the worms, thereby reducing odor and improving the quality of the earthworm castings. Currently, he is using earthworm castings to fertilize some slow-growing durian trees and grow vegetables in his garden. From the initial earthworm biomass provided, it has now increased more than tenfold.

The model developed by the Da Huoai Farmers' Association involves providing initial earthworm biomass to households; upon successful breeding, the biomass is then distributed to other households in the same quantity received initially. This is a good, practical, and effective model for farmers who combine crop cultivation with livestock farming. Recently, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai donated earthworm biomass and provided support and guidance on breeding to Mr. Phan Sach (Residential Group 5).

Another successful farmer with this model is Mr. Nguyen Van Ngu (Residential Group 2). Currently, his family combines earthworm farming with free-range chicken farming. According to Mr. Ngu, this model is very effective, requires little time for care, and the investment in livestock facilities is also very simple. In general, earthworm farming combined with free-range chicken farming offers double benefits, creating a cyclical system that reduces the amount of money spent on feed such as bran and corn. In addition, the quality of the chicken meat sold is highly favored by many consumers.

According to Nguyen The Anh, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Madagui town, surveys from farming households show that raising earthworms has many benefits; in the future, the Association will strengthen efforts to encourage farmers to continue receiving earthworm biomass to raise in their gardens.

In communes such as Da Oai, Da Ton, Madagui, etc., many households have also been successful with the model of raising earthworms using an initial biomass support of 50 kg.

Raising earthworms doesn't require much effort; feeding them only needs to be done once or twice a week. Importantly, when building earthworm farms, care must be taken to prevent direct sunlight, maintain humidity, and protect them from insects, pests, and rodents.

Mr. Hoang Thanh Nam, Chairman of the Da Huoai District Farmers' Association, said: "Raising earthworms in combination with livestock and poultry farming is a model that has initially proven effective in the locality. In particular, raising earthworms does not require complex techniques, so it can be applied in small farms or individual households in the area. Furthermore, raising earthworms does not require a large area, and the enclosures are quite simple; farmers can utilize abandoned livestock sheds or styrofoam containers for raising them. Through this model, it is clear that the amount of livestock waste used as earthworm feed has been significantly reduced, thereby ensuring rural environmental hygiene. Earthworm castings can be used to fertilize crops and vegetables, thus reducing agricultural production costs considerably."

Da Huoai District is moving towards green, sustainable agriculture that protects the environment, using biological products and organic fertilizers to increase the productivity and quality of crops in general, and durian trees in particular. The initial success of the earthworm farming model in some communes and towns has created opportunities for farmers to have a significant source of income by forming a circular economy in agriculture.

Source: http://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202401/hieu-qua-buoc-dau-tu-nuoi-giun-que-b532abe/