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INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ONVERMICOMPOSTING

AND ORGANIC FARMING, ORGANIZED BY DEPT OF BOTANY & ZOOLOGY, NARASINGH CHOUDHURY AUTONOMOUS COLLEGE, JAJPUR, ODISHA AND DEPT. OF ENV SC, TRICHANDRA COLLEGE, TU, NEPAL

AND SUPPORTED THE WORLD BANK (29TH AND 30THAUGUST 2020)

INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL

CONFERENCE ON

“VERMICOMPOSTING AND ORGANIC

FARMING”

ORGANIZED BY

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY&

ZOOLOGY

NARASINGH CHOUDHURY

AUTONOMOUS COLLEGE, JAJPUR,

ODISHA (NAAC ACCREDITED)

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

SCIENCES, TRICHANDRA COLLEGE,

TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY,

KATHMANDU, NEPAL

AND

SUPPORTED BY

THE WORLD BANK

29TH & 30THAUGUST 2020

INTERNATIONAL WEBINAR 2020, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY N.C (A) COLLEGE,

JAJPUR, ODISHA, INDIA AND TRICHANDRA COLLEGE, TU, KATHMANDU, NEPAL

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AND SUPPORTED THE WORLD BANK (29TH AND 30TH AUGUST 2020)

DECLARATION

1. Name of Author- DR SARADA PRASAD MOHAPATRA

2. Nationality- Indian

3. Title of the E Book- VERMICOMPOST TECHNOLOGY AND

SUSTAINABLE FARMING

4. ISBN- 978-93-5416-150-6

5. Place of Publication- Jajpur

6. Year of Publication- 2020

7. Edition- 1st

8. Language of the Book- English

9. E mail- [email protected]

I/We do hereby solemnly affirm that all the information furnished by

me/us are correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. The research

papers published here are submitted by the

Academicians/Researchers/Faculties/Resource Persons in the

International Virtual Conference on “Vermicomposting and Organic

Farming” 29th & 30th August 2020 Organized by Department of Botany

and Zoology, Narasingh Choudhury Autonomous College, Jajpur,

Odisha in association with Department of Environmental Science,

Trichandra College, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal and

supported by the World Bank..

Date- 30.08.2020 Dr Sarada Prasad Mohapatra

Organizing Secretary & Author International virtual conference2020

mailto:[email protected]

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FOREWORD

With vast Modernization, high population growth rate and rapid

urbanization, the production of solid waste is increasing day by day

and the nature of waste is completely different from the past and solid

waste management is more complex today than ever before. The

conventional aerobic and physicochemical treatment processes

adopted for treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater in the

developed countries have sparse chances of success in developing

countries due to high energy requirements, operation and

maintenance costs, and constraints in stable maintenance. Thus, it has

become imperative to resort to simpler alternative technologies which

are natural, less mechanized and simpler in operation and

maintenance.

Vermiculture appears to be an innovative sustainable

technology for waste treatment which holds a promising future in the

field of wastewater management. Presently it is being used

successfully for solid waste management. The concept of using

earthworms for waste processing is not a new one. Nature has been

effectively doing this since millions of years. However, the concept of

harnessing this natural earthworm ecosystem for treatment of

municipal and industrial wastewater is a relatively new one.

Vermiculture means culturing of earthworms and it involves

harnessing an entire ecosystem consisting of earthworms, beneficial

bacteria and plant root zone for treatment of wastes.

Vermicomposting is one of eco-friendly process.

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In vermiculture, earthworms are effectively used for

maximizing the growth of aerobic bacteria for waste stabilization.

When organic waste applied to a soil containing earthworms, simple

compounds are readily degraded by bacteria, while complex wastes

are first broken down to simpler ones by enzymes produced by

earthworms and are then degraded by the bacteria. Since earthworms

have an aerobic gut, the predominance of' aerobic bacteria harbored

by earthworms ensures maximum energy utilization resulting in

more biomass production, which in turn speeds up waste

decomposition to a higher rate. Plants and biosoil also play important

role in vermiculture. While plants absorb the metabolites of

earthworms and bacteria, biosoil is the medium for activities of

bacterial earthworms and plants. Soil particles serve as the grinding

medium for earthworm and supply plant nutrients. Vermicastings

are the excreta of earthworms, rich in bacteria and plant nutrients.

Vermicastings have beneficial effect on plant growth due to presence

of micro and macro nutrients. Thus all the components are

interdependent. With the above understanding the vermiculture

ecosystem can be assumed to consist of earthworms, bacteria, organic

matter, plants, soil and rock particles, pests, and vermicastings, each

performing a distinct function. vermiculture is rightly considered as a

self-designed, self-regulated, self-improve! and self-powered ecosystem.

“Atmanirvar Bharat” concept emphasised the active

participation in post-COVID global supply chains as well as the need

to attract foreign direct investment. In this context Vermicomposting

Technology will be a game changer in sustainable farming in which

the farming practices will result in high quality products of Global

market value.

Dr Sarada Prasad Mohapatra

Organizing Secretary& Author

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SRI PRANAB PRAKASH DAS

HON’BLE MLA, JAJPUR, ODISHA

CHIEF PATRON& MEMBER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

N.C (A) COLLEGE, JAJPUR

MISSION & VISION

UPGRADATION OF NARASINGH CHOUDHURY AUTONOMOUS

COLLEGE, JAJPUR, ODISHA

TO

GLOBAL UNIVERSITY BY 2022

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Chief Patron- Sri Pranab Prakash Das, Hon’ble MLA, Jajpur, Odisha

Patron- Prof Fakir Mohan Mallick, Principal, N.C (A) College, Jajpur, Odisha

Convener- Dr. Biswajit Mohapatra, Asst Prof in Botany & I/C UGC

Organizing Secretary- Dr. Sarada Prasad Mohapatra, Asst Prof & Head, Dept of Botany

Jt. Organizing Secretary- Dr.KshanPrabha Sahoo, Lecturer, Dept of Botany

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1. Prof B.C.Tripathy, JNU, New Delhi & Former VC, Ravenshaw University,

Cuttack, Odisha, India

2. Dr Jyotna Jain, Associate Prof in Zoology, Kanoria MahilaPG College, Rajasthan

3. Prof Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, Head, Dept of Zoology, N.C(A) College, Jajpur

4. Dr Mukul C Kalita, Principal Scientist, Assam Agriculture University, Assam

5. Dr R.K.Nayak, Associate Prof., Dept of Environment Science & Director, CDC,

F.M University, Balasore, Odisha, India

6. Dr.M.K.Jena, Lead Consultant(Research), SCSTRTI, Govt of Odisha, India

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1. Juliet Dhanraj, Field programming coordinator, Green economy, Canada

2. Mr. Debraj Behera, Livelihood Specialist, International Consultant, World Bank

3. Dr Ulrich Berk, Director, German Institute of Homa Therapy, Germany

4. Dr Ahmad K Majumder, Dean, Faculty of Science, Stamford University,

Bangladesh

5. Praveen K Regmi, Faculty, Dept of Env Sc, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuban

University, Kathmandu, Nepal

6. Bai Sji Yin Guang Bo, Principal Researcher & Founder, Bai Shi Yin Organisation,

Singapore

7. Dr Jacob Orimaye, Lect&Resewarcher, Dept of Forest Resorce and Wildlife

Management, ESU, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

8. Kishor Maharjan, Head, Dept of Env Sc, Trichandra College, Tribhuban

University, Kathmandu, Nepal

9. Dr KhanandaPaudel, Technical Advisor, Environmental and Sustainable

Development Research Centre, Nepal

PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE

1. Praveen K Regmi, Faculty, Dept of Env Sc, Trichandra College, TU, Kathmandu,

Nepal

2. Kishor Maharjan, Head, Dept of Env Sc, Trichandra College, Tu, Kathmandu,

Nepal

3. Prof M.K.Mohapatra, HOD, Zoology, N.C(A) College, Jajpur, Odisha

4. Prof P.Kaushik(retired)Dept of Microbiology, Gurukul Kangri Viswavidyalaya,

Haridwar, UK

5. Dr Sandeep K Panda, School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Odisha

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MESSAGE

It gives me immense pleasure to know that our Esteemed Institution

Narasingh Choudhury Autonomous College in association with Dept

of Environment Science, Trichandra College, Tribhuvan University,

Kathmandu, Nepal going to Organize an International Virtual

Conference on ”Vermicomposting and Organic Farming” on 29thand

30th August 2020 supported by the World Bank in which

International speakers from Canada, Nepal, Bhutan will discuss

about various aspects related to Vermicompost Technology.

I congratulate all the members of organizing committee and

staff members of Botany and Zoology fraternity and all the

participants for a grand success. My special thanks also to Juliet

Dhanraj, Debraj Behera, Hemlal Bhattarai, Kishor Maharjan,

Praveen K Regmi, Dr Mukul C Kalita, Prof M.K.Mohapatra, Dr

Sandeep K Panda respectively for readily accepting my invitation to

be the resource person in the International Virtual Conference 2020.

I also extend my profound gratitude to Sri Bhaba Prakash Das,

Chairman, Municipality, Jajpur for his gracious presence.

(DR SARADA PRASAD MOHAPATRA)

(MSc. PhD FMERC FAPS)

Head, Dept of Botany & Academic Head

N.C (A) College, Jajpur

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MESSAGE

It is a great pleasure to know that Dept. of Botany & Zoology of N.C.

Autonomous College, Jajpur is going to organize International Virtual

Conference on “VERMICOMPOSTING AND ORGANIC FARMING” from 29th

to 30th August 2020 during COVID-19 Pandemic situation . The resource

person from Nepal, Bhutan, Assam and Odisha will present their paper in

presence of world wide participants to achieve the AATMA NIRBHAR BHARAT

goal as well as climate change pandemic teach us to work together to create a

peaceful world .

I congratulate all the members of organizing Committee and staff members of

Botany and Zoology of N.C.Autonomous College, Jajpur of our esteemed

institution to make this International virtual Conference a grand Success.

Thanking You All.

( Dr.Biswajit Mohapatra) CONVENOR, IVC

Email : [email protected]

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MESSAGE

I would like to congratulate all the members of Organizing

Committee of International Conference which is going to be

organized by Dept of Botany and Zoology, N.C (A) College, Jajpur,

Odisha in association with Trichandra College, Tribhuvan University,

Kathmandu, Nepal on 29th and 30th August 2020 supported by the

World Bank. I would also congratulate all the participants across the

Globe for being a part of such an important topic as there is hue and

cry everywhere around the Globe for Organic farming. I hope the

speakers from around the Globe will discuss the topic relating to

“Atmanirvar Bharat” concept of self reliance.

Thank you all

( PROF F.M.MALLICK)

Principal

N.C (A) College, Jajpur, Odisha

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MESSAGE

Dear All,

On behalf of the International virtual conference, it is my pleasure as the

joint organizing secretary to invite all the academicians, great scientists, young

researchers, social activists, delegates and students from India and abroad to

attend the international virtual conference on vermicomposting and organic

farming organized by department of Botany and Zoology Narasingha

Choudhury Autonomous College Jajpur, Odisha, India on 29th and 30th August

2020 in association with Department of Environmental Science, Trichandra

College, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal and World Bank. This is a

platform which brings together the groups of participants from all over the

world to present and exchange their ideas and promote high level research in

global scenario.

This conference is covering the Atmanirbhar Bharat concept globally through

Vermicomposting and Organic Farming. The basic principle behind this

conference is to cover the practical aspect of the topic. So, we are looking

forward to an excellent meeting with great personalities of different countries

who will share their exciting views on the present context.

All The Best !!!

Dr. Kshan Prabha Sahoo,

lecturer in Botany,

Joint Organising Secretary,

International Virtual Conference on Vermicomposting and Organic Farming,

Narasingha Choudhury Autonomous College,

Jajpur, Odisha, India

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M. K. Mohapatra




MESSAGE

I am extremely glad to be a part of the International Virtual Seminar on

Vermicomposting and Organic Farming, organised by Department of Botany

and Zoology of N. C. Autonomous College, Jajpur, Odisha, on 29th and 30th

August 2020.

I wish all the success to the team of organisers for the successful conduct of

the virtual seminar and the publication of E Book.

Prof Manoj Kumar Mohapatra

Head, Dept. of Zoology

N.C (A) College, Jajpur

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MESSAGE

First of all, I would like to thank the organisers for hosting this webinar entitled

“International Virtual Conference on Vermicomposting and Organic Farming”

in time.

Organic Agriculture has the potential to reverse the ongoing trends of soil and

environmental degradation under the conventional farming in India. This system

of farming can reduce CO2, N2O and CH4; which contribute to Global

Warming. Technical and financial support will be required for development of

vermicomposting unit in Farmer’s household areas. Nowadays, PKVY, NMSA

& NHB are providing financial supports to needy farmers for setting up of

vermicompost unit with minimum dimension of 10*4*2 cubic feet which equals

to 80 cubic feet. A farmer can earn atleast Rs 20,000 per year on sale by setting

up a vermicompost unit.

Wishing the webinar, a grand success.

Thanking you all.

Dr. Mukul Ch. Kalita

Principal Scientist

AAU, Assam, India

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MESSAGE

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MESSAGE

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MESSAGE

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CONTENTS

SL NO

NAME TOPIC NAME

1 Hemlal Bhattarai

Role of Organic Farming for Sustainable Food

Productionin the Nearest Future

2 *Kishor Maharjan

**Praveen K

Regmi

Vermicomposting and Organic farming

3 ManojK

Mohapatra

Use of Earthworms in Organic Farming and Waste

Management through Vermicomposting

4 Dr. Mukul Ch.

Kalita Sustainable Organic Farming through

Vermicomposting Technology

5 Dr Sarada Prsad

Mohapatra

Polyhouse Farming As Rural Entrepreneurship

6 1Biswajit

Mohapatra 2 Ranjit

Mohapatra

Organic Farming : A Sustainable Agriculture in

Present Scenario

7 1*Amit Kumar

Sharma,1 Arvind

Kumar Sharma, 2

Munish Sharma

Application of Vermicomposting Technology for

Organic Aquaculture

8 Dr. Anandini Rout Role of Vermicompost and Organic Farming in

Agriculture of India

9 Dr. Arpita Das

Ms. Vanessa Jena

Ecofriendly Pest Repellent

10 Dr Arpita Das

Barsha

Priyadarshini Aditi

Harichandan

Application of Bai Shi Yin Guang Bo Wisdom-Light

Technology on Vigna radiata plant

11 Arun K. Rath1 and

Sabita Rani

Mishra2

Studies on application of kitchen waste compost and

vermicompost on production of selective leafy

vegetables on roof top

12 Mrs. Binita Rai1&

Ms. Anjali Prasad

Significance of Organic farming and Sustainable

farming: A case study of Sikkim State

13 Biplab Auddya Organic Farming and Sustainable food production

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Biplab Auddya Organic Farming and Sustainable food production

14 Dr. Kshan Prabha

Sahoo

VERMICOMPOSTING: A Gateway to Organic

Farming

15 1Kalpita Bhatta*, 2Hemant Kumar

Patra, 2Shantilata

Sahoo and 1Arsia

Tabish.

Effect of fly ash on physical and biochemical

parameters of Macrotylomauniflorum.

16 Keshari Prasad

Mohanty

Organic Farming: A Way towards New India

17 Dr (Mrs) Mamata

Pandey

Enzymatic Potential of Sericulture Waste during

Vermicomposting

18 Dr Manas Ranjan

Satpathy

Vermitechnology- A factsheet

19 Manjusha

Tyagi1*Rukhsar

Parveen2, Ankita3,

Santosh Arya4

Vermicomposting and Organic Farming

20 Dr.Manna Milian

EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL LIKE ZINC (Zn2+) IN

ORGANICALLY AMENDED SOILS

21 Milimita Padhi

Sustainability in Agriculture

22 1MUNIT SHARMA, 2RISHI THAKUR, 2PARDEEP

KUMAR, 2SUNIL

KUMAR AND 2MUNISH

SHARMA*

ORGANIC FARMING: A MODERN APPROACH

FOR CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL AND

AROMATIC PLANTS

23 PritiPragyan Ray

and Pranati

Pattnaik1

STUDIES ON CONSERVATION GENETICS OF

TASAR SILKWORM ANTHERAEA MYLITTA

DRURY (LEPIDOPTERA: SATURNIIDAE)

ECORACES AVAILABLE IN THE STATE OF

ODISHA USING DNA MARKERS

24 Puspanjali Parida

and Nibedita

Mohapatra

LIFE CYCLE, COILING PATTERN,

HISTOLOGICAL ALTERNATION AND

ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME OF SOIL DWELLING

EARTHWORM EXPOSED TO FURADAN

25 Rajlaxmi Mohanty Application of Vermitechnology in aquaculture : A

Review

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26 Rukhsar Parveen1,

Ankita2, Anamika

Rana3 and

Manjusha Tyagi1*

Organic agricultural practices and food production

sustainability

27 *1Sagarika Parida, 2Dushmanta

Sabara

Vermicompost and its Impact on Growth of Green

gram Seedlings

28 Sandhyarani Kuanr Socio- Economic Prospect of Eri silk worm and

vermicomposting in Western Odisha.

29 Sasmita Panda*,

Prasanta Kumar

Kar1 and Pramod

Kumar Satapathy2

Effect of metallic ions, pH, moisture content of host

plant leaves on silk formation in tasar silkworm

Antheraea mylitta Drury: A review

30 Dr Satya Narayan

Sahoo

Vermicomposting : An alternative to organic

biowaste disposal techniques

31 Smruti Snigdha

Panda

Vermicompost as fish feed and fish manure

32 Sujata Mahapatra Organic farming and microbial diversity

33 Sunita Satapathy

Conversion of Inorganic Wastes (Fly Ash) into

Organic Manure for Sustainable Crop Production

by Using Vermitechnology

34 *Suprava Bisoyi

Application of Vermitechnology in Aquaculture

35 *Umakanta Serhy


36 Dr Brundaban

Sahu

Role of E Commerce in Agribusiness in India

37 Dr Bipra Narayan

Mallick

Vermicompost Business for Atmanirvar Bharat

38 Manjusha

Tyagi1*Rukhsar

Parveen2, Ankita3,

Santosh Arya4


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Hemlal Bhattarai

Lecturer & Dean Research and Industrial Linkages

Centre for Appropriate Technology

Jigme Namgyel Engineering College, Royal University of Bhutan

Correspondence:[email protected]

TOPIC: Role of Organic Farming for Sustainable Food

Productionin the Nearest Future

Introduction

The social and economic impact of the current pandemic COVID-19 in becoming much

visible in current time. There is stress at regional, national and global label seeing increasing

challenges for food security and sustainability from grassroot label of economy. It has

considerably become vital for prioritized actions in the domain of agriculture and its

sustainability. Studies has shown that there is crosscutting influence of ‘Food and

Agriculture’ in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fig-1: Organic Agriculture and SDGs.

Source:https://www.eosta.com/nl/nieuws/biologische-landbouw-en-de-duurzame-

ontwikkelingsdoelen


https://www.eosta.com/nl/nieuws/biologische-landbouw-en-de-duurzame-ontwikkelingsdoelen


20

Agriculture is backbone of every economy. The pandemic has hard hit the production and

manufacturing industries including the agriculture sectors. There is needs and approaches for

enhancing the growth and sustainability of agricultural sectors post COVID-19, so as to

enhance productivity through efficient and humble approaches. The thirst for research,

innovation and investment in agriculture sectors seems to be priority of concern in current

time. The need of food sustainability for the population of 7.5 billion of the world and

organic farming should be considered in close proximity.

Understanding Organic Farming

The underline definition of ‘Organic Farming’ is agricultural system that uses ecologically

based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes

and nitrogen-fixing cover crops. The concept is clear in terms of usages and approaches to

farming that proved to be more harmonious with the environment.Organic farming is an

agricultural system which originated early in the 20th century in reaction to rapidly changing

farming practices.

Environment is important parameter of consideration while thinking of farming and food

sustainability. The role of farming should be well guided with ethical concern of its impact to

environment. There are growing threads of chemical fertilizers and chemical approaches used

for food productivity endangering the health and environment.

Organic farming which has strong base of origin of organic approaches poses wider benefits

to health and environment in other hand. Some of the promising benefits as follows;

1. Less soil and water pollution

2. Reduction in exposure to pesticides and chemicals

3. Building the healthy soils

4. Help in combatting erosion

5. Low greenhouse gas emission

6. Conservation of water

7. Discouraging Algal Blooms

8. Enhance animal health and welfare

9. Healthy biodiversity

10. Many more…

https://www.britannica.com/topic/fertilizer

https://www.britannica.com/topic/cover-crop

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Fig-2: The main principles and effects of organic farming

Source- Karolina F, and Anna G, ‘Effect of Organic Farming on Soil Microbiological

Parameters’.

The study by Karolina F, and Anna G. further concluded that the organic farming system;

- affects the biological activity of the soil.

- changes the structure of the soil microorganism’s community.

- has a positive effect on soil quality compared with conventional farming systems.

- The impact of different farming methods, including organic, should be monitored

with a perspective of long-term cultivation

There are limited actions taken on organic approach as it is more labor intensive and has not

much proven records of productivity. Also, there are limited avenue visible for the

implementation in large scale farming.

The more promising outcome from the organic farming is on health and wellbeing of people

and environment as a whole. There is growing pressure for going organic with noticeable

support in many countries. The policies and regulations are becoming critical in many

countries across globe to support and enhance organic farming for the food sustainability.

Global status of organic farming as of 2015 as follow.

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Fig-3: Global Share of Organic Farming

It is also quite interesting to know that the land under organic farming of some critical

countries where the share of Australia is quite visible on the top of the list and India happen

to be on the 9th spots.

Fig-4: Land under organic farming by countries

The economic dimension of organic farming to improve food security as reflected by Laleh

M., et al in his study as reflected in tables 1, 2 and 3 below.

Table-1: Prioritizing production optimization capability of organicfarming to improve food

security according to path coefficient estimates

Priorities Production Optimization Estimate

1 Improving efficiency in areas with low inputs (pesticides,

herbicides, etc.)

0.82

2 Reducing crop damage 0.81

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3 Reducing risk of production 0.73

4 Higher crop yield in drought years 0.67

Table-2: Prioritizing economic benefits creation capability of organicfarming to improve food

security according to path coefficient estimates

Priorities Economic Benefits Estimate

1 Satisfying farmers from an economic perspective 0.88 0.88

2 2 Added value of organic products through marketing activities and

processing 0.83

0.83

3 3 Efficient usage of resources more efficiently (to minimize the use

of non-renewable resources) 0.78

0.78

4 Affordable than traditional agriculture (due to lower variable costs

of inputs, identical Fixed costs and higher prices of organic

products)

0.77

5 5 Market opportunities (marketing) for producers 0.76

6 6 Greater economic profitability due to the use of domestic inputs 0.76

7 7 Enhancing the overall performance of the farm in unit area 0.67

Table-3: Prioritizing income creation capability of organicfarming to improve food security

according to path coefficient estimates

Priorities Income Creation Estimate

1 Reducing the cost of purchased external inputs (chemicals,

pesticides, etc.)

0.97

2 Cash savings by reducing cash costs of agricultural production 0.86

3 Improving the livelihoods of family farmers production (through the

sale of excessive production of organic products which enable them

to provide better clothes and better education opportunities for their

children and other farmers)

0.84

4 Welfare improvement of farmers engaging in organic farming 0.82

5 Increasing farmers income in the long-term 0.72

6 Reducing the need for and dependence on credit facilities (loans)

due to input imports

0.7

7 Decrease in cash investments (reduction of import requirements) 0.65

It is clear from this study that there are significant impacts of organic farming that may come

as boon to the economy post COVID-19. The impacts ranges from production optimization,

economic benefits and income creation capacity of organic farming which is a clear indicator

of what current economy is in dire needs when there is requirements of self-sufficiency and

food sustainability due to the pandemic.

Organic farming and sustainability

The concept of sustainable agriculture and its relation to organic farming has been closely

studied in past. It is due to the fact that many countries across globe are gearing towards

organic farming. One such study highlighted the role and regulation along with the aspects

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and desire of practices in agriculture systems in relation to sustainability. The study

highlighted the relationship of sustainable agriculture in respect to large scale farming where

greater regulation and policing of standards are considered crucial.

When thinking and acting towards sustain abilities there needs a focus driven to system and

approaches. Studies also highlighted on the contribution of organic agriculture to the future of

world agriculture is whether organic agriculture can produce sufficient food to feed the

world.The sustainable system should focus towards creating conducive environment to foster

the growth of organic agriculture through the means of sustainable farming. In same line, the

role of sustainable approaches is to think and act towards organic farming in small scale to

large scale agriculture practices.

Fig 5: Organic agriculture and Sustainability

Source: TECA, Technologies and Practices for Small Agricultural Producers, 2015

(FAO/TECA),

Fig 6: Organic farming (multicultural agriculture)

25

Source: Organic Farming, Srutek M, Urban J, Encyclopedia of Ecology, 2008

The approaches and action on drive towards organic farming and sustainable food production

need to be addressed in this critical time of pandemic. There is growing and increasing role of

agriculture sectors to be self sufficiency in the food sustainability of region, nation and global

communities. Challenges are higher due to threat and restrictions imposed by current

pandemic on the way we function. There is certainly a move towards “New Normal” for our

day to day activities where there is no exception in agriculture sectors too.

The research and innovation in the domain of agriculture, appropriate technology and food

chain systems needs more attention as it has greater roles to improve the economic growth.

The prospects of organic agriculture and sustainable development seen more promising in

developing countries and poorer countries. Need of conducive policies and regulations,

incentive, support mechanism, smart methodologies, appropriate technologies and many

pressing issues are vital to be more realistic. Organic agriculture based on the principle of

health, principle of ecology, principle of fairness and principle of care need to be the

approaches while optimizing the organic farming for sustainable food production.

Fig-7: Assessment of Organic farming to conventional farming in the four major areas of

sustainability

Source: Reganold, J. P. and Wachter J. M., ‘Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century’,

2016

Note:Orange petals represent areas of production; blue petals represent areas of

environmental

sustainability; red petals represent areas of economic sustainability; green petals represent

areas of wellbeing. The lengths of the petals illustrate thatorganic farming systems better

balance the four areas of sustainability. This is a reflection from the studies that there is close

linkages of sustainability factors which seems more promising in organic farming as

compared to conventional farming practices.

There are works carried out by many countries and regions towards visualizing the concept of

organic farming and sustainable food production. It is vital for us to do more of research

findings on the prevailing good practices and borrow the applicable examples in the region.

One such promising report byRigby D., et al are worth to refer for its concern relating to

rapidly changing world we have to be able to cope with new political, environmental and

26

societal challenges. The vision provides a common direction, a clear and vividpicture of

where we want to be in 2030 through the selection of the best strategies and tools that will

help usstay focused and make our vision a reality. Similarly, a small country Bhutan has its

own commitment with its Vision 2020 where focuses was much ambitious towards 100%

organic within 2025. This is a challenge for Bhutan as well across globe where organic

sectors today are affected by issues related to markets, lack of appropriate supply-demand

mechanism, pricing and limited consumer awareness.

Fertilizer is one of the main domains while thinking and acting on organic agriculture

pertaining to sustainable food production apart from the low yield. Studies has pointed out

the principal objections to the proposition that organic agriculture can contribute significantly

to the global food supply are low yields and insufficient quantities of organically accepted

fertilizers.

Conclusion

The goal of organic agriculture has to be materialized and that can be possible through

holistic approaches of thinking and action supported by very conducive environment. In post

COVID-19 as well as in current pandemic period, the world is threatened in terms of social

and economical wellbeing. The agriculture sectors becoming one of the crucial drivers of

economic need to revitalize its actions to meet the growing demand of food security. As

sustainability is a growing focus and materializing the SDGs are crucial in combatting

pandemic.

Organic farming and sustainable food production happen to be the immediate plan of actions

within regions and nation if we want to address the economic crises of pandemic and food

security. The mechanism and mandates need to be carefully devised so as to favor the

prospect of organic farming at any scales. The key focuses and role that need to be played to

complement through research and innovation in agriculture sectors.

References

Furtak K. and Galazka A., ‘Effect of Organic Farming on soil microbiological parameters’,

Polish Journal of Soil Science, 2019

https://www.eosta.com/nl/nieuws/biologische-landbouw-en-de-duurzame-

ontwikkelingsdoelen

https://www.britannica.com/topic/organic-farming

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farming

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, ‘Organic Farming – LookingForwards, Strategy

Towards Greater Sustainability in Germany’, 2018

https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/press-portal/nachrichten-en/june-2018/nr_180614_01

MorshediL., et al., ‘The Role of Organic Farming for Improving FoodSecurity from the

Perspective of Fars Farmers’, MDPI, 2017




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farming

https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/press-portal/nachrichten-en/june-2018/nr_180614_01

27

http://www.businessworld.in/article/Globally-India-Ranks-9th-In-Organic-Farming-

Outlook/04-09-2017-125309/

Report WPR-677, Wageningen Research, ‘Approaches aiming at sustainable agriculture

production’, Jan Verhagen et al., 2017

Kilcher L., ‘How organic agriculture contributes to sustainable development’, JARTS

Witzenhausen, 2007.

Murmu K., ‘Organic Farming - Stewardship for Sustainable Agriculture’, Agricultural

Research & Technology, Jupiter publisher, 2018.

Rigby D. and Caceres D., ‘Organic farming and the sustainability ofagricultural systems’

Agriculture system, Volume 68, Elsevier, 2000.

Schluter M. and Stopes C., ‘Transforming food and farming: An organic vision for Europe in

2030, June 2015.

Bernstorff A. V. and Lorenzen H., ‘Towards Food Sovereignty and Organic Farming’, The

Druk Journal, 2020

https://www.innovations-report.com/ecology-the-environment-and-conservation/100-organic-

farming-in-bhutan-a-realistic-target/

AzadiaH., et al., ‘Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Food Production System: Main

Potentials, Agriculture’, Ecosystems & Environment. Vol. 144 (1), pp. 92-94. 2011

BadgleyC., et al., ‘Organic agriculture and the globalfood supply’, Renewable Agriculture

and Food Systems, Vol-22, 2006

https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/organic-food-sustainable/

http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq6/en/

FAO Strategic Objective 5 – Resilience, in FAO, IFOAM - Organics International, ‘TECA-

Technologies and Practices for Small Agricultural Producers’, UN, 2015

Srutek M., Urban J., ‘Organic Farming’, Encyclopedia of Ecology, ScienceDirect, 2008

Ahlem Z. and Hammas A., ‘Organic Farming: A Path of Sustainable Development’,

International Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 2017

Reganold, J. P. and Wachter J. M., ‘Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century’, nature

plants, Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2016

http://www.businessworld.in/article/Globally-India-Ranks-9th-In-Organic-Farming-Outlook/04-09-2017-125309/

http://www.businessworld.in/article/Globally-India-Ranks-9th-In-Organic-Farming-Outlook/04-09-2017-125309/

https://www.innovations-report.com/ecology-the-environment-and-conservation/100-organic-farming-in-bhutan-a-realistic-target/

https://www.innovations-report.com/ecology-the-environment-and-conservation/100-organic-farming-in-bhutan-a-realistic-target/

https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/organic-food-sustainable/

http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq6/en/

28




Vermicomposting and Organic farming

*Kishor Maharjan **Praveen K Regmi

*Head, Dept of Env Sc, Tri Chandra Campus, TU, Nepal

**Faculty, Dept of Env Sc, Trichandra Campus, TU, Nepal

ABSTRACT

The volume of solid waste is increasing day by day due to rapid growth of population,

changing consumption pattern and haphazard urbanization. Therefore, management for solid

is huge challenges for every nation. On the basis of composition of solid waste, organic waste

is produced in large quantity mostly in developing countries and this valuable resource is lost

in the environment. There are various costly methods for waste management, however,

Vermicomposting may be a simple and environment-friendly technology for organic waste

management.

Vermicomposting is the bioconversion of organic waste into humus like material

known as vermicompost with the help of a certain type of earthworms. There are around 4000

species of the earthworms in the world, however, only few species have capable to make

manure. Eisenia fetida is commonly used earthworm all over the world due to its voracious

feeding and high reproductive rate. It can survive a wide range of

temperature.Vermicomposting is simple technology which needs compost making worms,

vermi bin/container, bedding materials, organic waste, covering materials and water. For

harvesting of vermicompost, we should wait 2-3 months, but the harvesting time depend

upon the number of earthworms and types of wasteused. Vermicomposting is very popular

method in Nepalfor managing kitchen waste and manure is mostly used for rooftop

gardening. Now it is not new method for Nepal, however, large-scale vermicomposting plant

is very limited. Nutrient content of vermicompost is generally higher than other general

compost, however the quality and quantity is largely dependent upon the types of feeding

material used for earthworms. Mostly, Nitrogen is rich in vermicompost as compared to other

general compost. The use of vermicompost is an important tool for organic farming. Various

researches show that use of vermicompost increases crop yields. Use of vermicompost

increases the organic matter, adds important macro and micronutrients and beneficial

microorganisms in soil. Besides that, it also improves soil structure, soil aeration and

maintain soil fertility.

29




Use of Earthworms in Organic Farming and Waste Management through

Vermicomposting *Manoj K Mohapatra

*Asst Prof & Head, Dept of Zoology

N.C (A) College, Jajpur, Odisha

ABSTRACT

Earthworms can be useful for the utilization of harmful organic wastes into useful

nutrient rich organic manure called vermicompost. For the purpose only epigeic

earthworms that are litter dwelling and litter feeding species used which help in

fragmenting and conditioning of organic wastes during the process. Being rich in

nutrients the vermicompost is required in lesser quantities in organic farming.

Although research on vermicomposting technology was started in India as early as

Nineteen Seventies, the progress made is not alluring. However, it has great potential to be

a cottage industry for the under privileged and the economically weak which can

provide them with supplementary income.

Key words: Epigeic earthworms, organic wastes, vermicompost, vermicomposting.

30




SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC FARMING THROUGH

VERMICOMPOSTING TECHNOLOGY

Dr. Mukul Ch. Kalita PhD, FAPS, DSc

AAU, Kamrup-781127 (Assam)INDIA

Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Vermicomposting is an appropriate technique for disposal of non-toxic solid and liquid

organic wastes. It helps in cost-effective and efficient recycling of animal waste like poultry

manure, piggery excreta, cattle dung, agricultural residues and industrial wastes. The

percentage of nutrient content of carbon, N, P, K, Ca, Mg & Zn were found higher under

vermicompost than FYM & Compost. Similarly, the rice grain yield of ‘Ketekijoha’ and

‘Pusa Basmati 1401’ were also found highest under the organic farming treatments

(Vermicompost @ 10.0 t/ha). Thus, it is quite evident that the effect of vermicomposting as

organic sources were found better compared to FYM & Compost. Vermicomposting can

serve as a micro-entrepreneur. It may provide a solution to the unemployment problems

through proper utilization of human & non-human resources and informing the socio-

economic conditions of the poor masses.

31




Polyhouse Farming As Rural Entrepreneurship

*Dr Sarada Prasad Mohapatra

* Head, Dept of Botany, N.C (A) College, Jajpur, Odisha, India

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

According to Gandhi every person should be provided with basic necessaries i.e food, cloth

and shelter. He also opined that an increase in personal income is an indication of growth of

National income but the reverse is not true i.e growth of National income may not always

benefit every man in the society. He also said that agriculture alone can not solve the problem

of rural poverty and unemployment. So he gives stress on growth of rural industries in which

the raw materials will be collected from local market and the products can be sold in local

market. Gandhiji wanted diversified economic activities in villages as villages are the

backbone of the country.

Changing climatic condition is a major challenge faced by the farmers to produce the

food for the growing population. Rapid growth in Industrialization and urbanization has

reduced the cultivable land. Technological innovation in agricultural sector has reduced input

cost with profitable yields and filling the farmer’s pockets all through the year. Polyhouse is a

major innovation which requires less water (per drop more crop) and good planning,

management skills in order to fetch profits. The polyhouse farming has become rural

entrepreneurship generating employment opportunities in rural areas with low capital cost

and raising the real income of the people.

Polyhouse farming promoted by the Government may be a game changer in the

improvement of rural economy and so also the improvement of farming practices in the

villages will surely drive the local youth to a self reliant entrepreneurship i.e the concept of

“Atmanirvar Bharat”.

Keywords- Climate change, Polyhouse, Self reliant, rural economy


32




Organic Farming : A Sustainable Agriculture in Present Scenario

1Biswajit Mohapatra, Asst. Professor in Botany, N.C. Autonomous College, Jajpur. 2 Ranjit Mohapatra. Asst. Professor in Pharamachemistry, UDPS, Utkal University, Vanivihar,

Bhubaneswar.

ABSTRACT

Sustainable Agriculture (SA) is necessary to attain the Global Goal-2030 of sustainable

development. It is the successful management of resources to satisfy the changing human

needs in present era of climate change maintaining the quality of environment and

conserving natural resources. SA lay great emphasis on maintaining an agricultural growth

rate, which can meet the demand for food of all living beings without draining the basic

resources towards crop improvement. Organic farming is a method of crop improvement not

to using pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth

hormones. It reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility and

use less energy. The principal methods of organic farming include crop rotation, green

manures and compost, biological pest control and mechanical cultivation. It is one of the

several approaches found to meet the objectives of sustainable agriculture. Most of the

techniques used in organic farming like inter-cropping, mulching and integration of crops and

livestock are not alien to agriculture systems including the traditional agricultural practices.

However, organic farming is based on various laws and certification programmes which

prohibit the use of almost all synthetic inputs and the central theme of this method is the

health of soil. The adverse effects of modern agricultural practices on the farm and also on

the health of living beings and thus on the environment has been well documented all over

the world. Application of technology, use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides all around us

has persuaded people to think aloud. As a result of global climatic changes, their negative

effects on the environment are manifested through soil erosion, water shortages, salination,

soil contamination, genetic erosion but organic farming supports healthy soil, more nutrition

and flavor, supports pollinators, healthier working environment for farmers, resistance to

pests and diseases, fertilizers are created on-site, opportunity for specializing and climate-

friendly. It is one of the widely used methods, which is thought as the best alternative to

avoid the ill effects of chemical farming. It also has far more advantages over the

conventional and other modern agricultural practices that are available today.

Key Words: Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming, Global Goal, Climate Change.

33




APPLICATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING TECHNOLOGY FOR

ORGANICAQUACULTURE

1*AMIT KUMAR SHARMA,1ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA, AND2MUNISH

SHARMA

1Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Environmental

Science, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar, Uttarakhand

2School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, TAB, Shahpur (Kangra)

*Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Vermicomposting is a developing biotechnological method towards growth of organic

farming and is a significant component for productionof compost bythe help of earthwormsin

order to expand natural and organic farming.Sustainable aquaculture is one of the rising

technology where the main goal line is durability, achieved through the use of renewable

resources for the development of natural and organic farming. Organic aquaculture avoids the

usage of chemical compound like fertilizers, growth regulators,pesticides and feed additives

and only low cost vermiproducts like vermiwash, earthworm, cocoon, etc. are used in order to

fullfill the need of fertilizers. All the vermiproducts are produced naturally and thus it is

urgent to increase the culture of earthworms.Earthworms are also utilized as bait, live fish

food, and fishmeal supplementas they comprisenumerousvital amino acids along with

haemoglobin in their blood and serum which offer the iron requirementfor growth and

developing of fish species. Adult earthworm and its products like cocoons and vermiwash

fullfill the feeding demand of fish species in diverse ways. So, it is very important to known

the application of vermicomposting technology for the growth and development of organic

aquaculture.The aim of presentstudyis to give a fleetingawareness of farmyard production of

vermicomposting andits application in organic aquacultures.

KEYWORDS: Vermicomposting, Organic aquaculture, Organic farming, Biofertilizers.


34

INTRODUCTION

Vermicompost technology is the method of harnessing of earthworms for the maintenance of

various organic wastes. Vermicompost technology is a bio-oxidative and non-thermophilic

method used to decomposed organic waste connecting earthworms and related microbes.

Vermicompost is a peat-like material having great permeability, brilliantin aeration, drainage,

high water holding capacity, microbial activity, nutrient upsurge and buffering capacity

results to meet the required physiochemical characters for soil productivity and efficiency

(Pathma and Sakthivel, 2012). Vermicompost mostly consists of both types of minor and

major nutrients, enzymes, antibiotics, growth promoter’svitamins and microbes among all the

accessibledisintegrated manures (Bhusan and Yadav, 2003). Eventually,if vermicompost

dries up causes no damage to its microflora, thus, it is mentioned as latentorganic manure or

as biofertilizer (Meena, 2003). Besides this, it is aneco-friendly as well as farmer-friendly

practice because it can be prepared from a variety of locally accessibleflora and fauna wastes

with lessamount, labour and knowledge. Mainly low-cost organic aquaculture depends upon

the use of vermicompost and its products which is of total natural origin. The

physiochemical, biochemical and biological properties of vermicomposting technologyare

now used to endorsebearable organic aquaculture.With the fast growth and developments in

biotechnology,numerous biological approaches have used for the treatment of solid

waste,among them vermicomposting is topmost. Earthworms are brilliant bioreactors for the

recycling of organic wastes and effective mode for its management. Aquaculture plays an

important role in fisheries management(Sharma et al., 2018: 2019)and thus it is also known

as asignificant contributor towards fish productionincludingdiverseforms and stages of inputs

(Ayyappan and Jena, 2003). The unscientificpractice of toxic fertilizerscauses the

deterioration of the quality of water, food, soilhealth and also cause the adulteration of air

(Chakraborty et al., 2009).So, attention must begiven to organicaquaculture forthe attainment

of harmful toxic-free and safe foodfor consumption.Organic composts are directly used by

the fishspecies for feeding or it may beenrichedby the aquatic ecosystem with plankton and

microbial communitiesIf sometimes organicmanures are not disintegratedfully beforeits

application in an aquaculture pond, then it may deteriorate thequality of water by

utilizingdissolved oxygen duringdecomposition.

INTEGRATED AQUACULTURE AND VERMITECHNOLOGY FARMING

A complex aquaculture-agriculture-vermiculture farmstead can be completely synergistic.

Everyone has known clearly that the reservoir water is used for irrigation practices along the

embankment and this water is reused for aquaculture.The biomass producedduring

vermicomposting technology containsa good source of protein for fish species (Joshi and

35

Aga, 2009).In aquaculturetrades, efforts are made now to replace the expensive fish meal

which is usuallymergedwith diets by alternatelow-priced sources of protein. In aquaculture

several organic resources have been utilized, the application of local and organic waste is

partially low. In the past, waste produced by the husbandries and domesticallyis animproper

resource whichcause pollution.Vermicomposting technology is completely safe and does not

cause any side effects. However, vermicomposting technology will shortly be used on alarge

industrial scale for the treatment of solid waste and pollution control management

(Karmegam and Daniel, 2007).

VERMICOMPOSTINGTECHNOLOGY AS FEED AND MANURE

Organic manuring is broadly adept in aquaculture ponds for high harvest and in order to

reduce expenditure on pricey feedstuffs and manures (Brown and Gilloy 2003). Several

categories of organic manures are used inaquaculturein the form of poultry manure, leaves,

sewage water, etc. Vermicompost and its by-products are utilized as food for direct

consumption to fish species andalso release various inorganic nutrients for the growth of

phytoplankton and zooplankton (Chakrabarty, 2009). Vermicomposting technology is the

best method for the preparation of agro-bio waste into effective manure. The productivity

of any water body can significantlyenhance by vermicompost approach which provides

desirable nutrients, minerals, vitamins, etc., mandatory for the growth of aquatic biota and

serving as food for fish species. The phytoplankton’splays an important link for connecting

the food chain in the aquatic ecosystem(Malik et al., 2018; 2020; Kumar et al., 2018). The

main aim of the fertilization process is to enhance all primary, secondary and tertiary

productivity in order to obtainmaximum yield for fish species.

PREPARATION OF FISH FEED BY USING VERMICOMPOST TECHNOLOGY

Earthworms are important fish food contains various essential amino acids along with

hemoglobin in their blood serumwhich fulfill the need of iron for growth of fish species.

Earthworm and their cocoons along with the vermiwash serves as the fish feed in diverse

ways. A unique type of feed using extra and olderearthworms from the vermi-pit mixed by

the dust of fowl eggshell from poultry being tested as a direct application (Chakrabarty et

al.,2009) for fish food in aquaculture ponds. The poultryegg shells hold a minutequantity of

albumin and calcium essential for growth and development of bone in fish species(Kumar et

al., 2019; Kamboj et al., 2020). The probableovertone of some Nitrogen-fixing bacteria with

vermicompost offersessential protein for bottom fish species.

36

PRESENT STATUS

Chakrabarty et al., (2009) reported that significant variances in plankton diversity and its

abundance along with thecommon carpgrowth with vermicomposting in comparison with

diammonium phosphate and concluded that vermicomposting and its by-product results better

and help to replace chemical fertilizers. (Kumar and Gadara, 2016) reported their researches

conducted on diverseorganic manure i.e. vermicompost, poultrymanure, cow dung, pig

manure to evaluate their effect on the quality ofwaterand growthof some fish species e.g.

Catlacatla, Labeorohita and Cirrhinusmrigalaand observed that the pond fertilized with

vermicompost results to be betterincomparisons tocow dung followed by poultry manure and

pig manure respectively.

CONCLUSION

The present study concluded that vermicomposting technology release and upsurge the

nutrients content very effortlessly and at a quicker frequency which is available to uptake by

the algal bloom that eventually increases the rate of fish species growth. With the help of

vermicomposting technology, it is also possible to reduce the expenditure on the fish feed.

Therefore, this approach is eco-friendly as well as farmer-friendly practice. Hence it must be

fortified to inseminate the aquaculture ponds by this approach at regular intervals. Abundant

stress has been laid on organic farming because, in intensive farming, unscientific use of

toxic fertilizers and pesticides application deteriorate the soil, air, water, and food. So, the

devotion has to be given for organic farming succeeded scheme of aquaculture for the better

attainment of safe food to human consumption. Imminent exploration may also be conducted

in respects toward the segregation and classification of useful microorganisms which can

work in contradiction of the fish pathogenic microbes as a biocontrol agent.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are thankful to Mr. Kuldip Kumar Sharmafor their guidance and constant support

as well as for providing necessary information during the study.

REFERENCES

Ayyappan, S. and Jena, J.K., (2003). Grow-out production of carps in India. Journal of

Applied Aquaculture, 13:251-282.

Bhusan, C. and Yadav, B., (2003). Vermiculture for sustainable agriculture. Indian Farming

Digest, 1:11- 13.

37

Brown, J. H. and Gillooly, J. F. (2003). Ecological food webs: High-quality data facilitate

theoretical unification. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA,100:

1467-1468.

Chakrabarty, D. (2009). Vermicompost and Organic Pisciculture (3rd Akshay Krishi Vikash,

West Bengal, India, 1-47pp.

Chakrabarty, D., Das, S. K., Das, K. M. and Biswas, P. K. (2009). Application of

vermitechnology in aquaculture. Dynamic Soil, Dynamic Plant, 3(2):41-44.

Joshi, N. and Aga, S. (2009). Diversity and distribution of earthworms in a subtropical forest

ecosystem in Uttarakhand, India. The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn

University, 9 (1): 21-25.

Kamboj, N., Kamboj, V. and Sharma, A. K. (2020). Length-Weight relationships of selected

fish species at mining bed stretch of river Ganga at Haridwar. Annals of Agri-Bio

Research25(2): 251-254.

Karmegam, N. and Daniel, T. (2007). Effect of physico-chemical parameters on earthworm

abundance: A quantitative approach. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 3: 1369-

1376.

Kumar, D., Malik, D. S., Sharma, A. K. and Gupta, V. (2019). Estimation of Length-weight

and Length-length Relationship of Catfish, Rita rita Inhabiting in the Middle Stretch

of River Ganga. Annals of Biology,35(2): 156-159.

Kumar, S. and Gadara, S. (2016). Effect of organic manure on the hydro-biological

characteristics of fish pond. The IIOAB Journal, 7(11):1–9.

Kumar, V., Malik, D.S. and Sharma, A.K. (2018). Study on Distribution Pattern of Benthic

Diversity in Relation to Water Quality of River Ganga And Its Tributaries. Journal of

Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR),5(5): 88-103.

Malik, D. S., Sharma, A. K. and Sharma, A. K. (2020). Current Status of Microbenthic

Diversity And their Habitat Ecology in River Ganga and its Tributaries, Uttarakhand.

Journal of Experimental Zoology, India23(2): 1413-1420.

Malik, D.S., Sharma, A.K. and Bargali, H. (2018). Status of phytoplankton diversity in

relation to water quality of Bhagirathi riverine system in Garhwal Himalaya.

International Journal of Advanced Science and Research,3(1): 30-37.

Meena, A. (2003). Vermiculture in relation to organic farming. International Agriculture, 27-

30.

Pathma, J. and Sakthivel, N., (2012). Microbial diversity of vermicompost bacteria that

exhibit useful agricultural traits and waste management potential. SpringerPlus, 1:26.

Sharma, A.K., Malik, D.S. and Bargali, H. (2018). Present status of fish diversity and

population abundance of selected fish species in Bhagirathi river at Uttarakhand.

38

International journal of creative research thoughts(IJCRT),6 (1): 432-438.

Sharma, A.K., Malik, D.S. and Tyagi, D. (2019). Food and feeding habits of Tor tor

(Hamilton, 1822) and Schizothoroxrichordsonii (Gray, 1832) inhibiting Bhagirathi

river, Tehri Garhwal, India. International journal of Science and Nature (IJSN),10(1)

97-103.

Sharma, A.K., Malik., D.S. and Bargali, H. (2018). Food and Feeding Habits of

SchizothoroxRichordsonii (Gray, 1832) Inhibiting Bhagirathi River, Tehri Garhwal,

India., Int. J. Recent Sci. Res. 9(4): 25562-25565.

39




Role of vermicompost and organic farming in agriculture of India

Dr. (Mrs.) Anandini Rout Lecturer in Botany Christ College, Cuttack

ABSTRACT

Keeping on mind the rapid population growth, for health benefit, Govt. & people are

focussing more on sustainable methods like vermicomposting & organic farming to enhance

the production rate without harming the environment. It has a sustainable future so more &

more farmers of India should be engaged with vermicompost & organic farming. As

agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy, there is an urgent need to create awareness

about our future generation.

Vermicompost is a leading organic compost now-a-days. Vermicompost is a best,

most effective, cheap, organic fertilizer for toe plant. It is variously named such as black

gold, worm compost, worm humus, green compost, vermiworm, vermicast & worm

manure. It is widely used all over the world & acts like a conditioner for the soil. It is

highly decomposed, purely natural based fertilizer for the plant. It is prepared by the

decomposition of waste material like chopped rice straw, dry leaves, kitchen waste

materials, dry waste from the house etc. by using earthworm as they are detrivorous &

geophagous. From time immemorial earthworms are known as “friends of the farmers”.

Generally red varities of earthworms is very beneficial for production vermicompost.

Preparation of vermicompost does not require any advance technology, requires low

investment & can also be prepared at any place. It provides more output by low cost

efficiency. It can be applied both to seasonal & perennial plant. In contrast to chemical

fertilizer it provides long term effect, it is easily mixed with the soil so that plant absorbs it

rapidly having macronutrient N, P, K (critical element), Ca, Mg & micronutrient Fe, Zn, S.

It increases soil aeriation, soil fertility, checks soil erosion. It also contains hormones like

auxin, cytokinin, gibberellic acid & enzymes like cellulase, phosphatase with more humic

acid. The excreta of earthworm contains peritrophic membrane which binds with the soil

particles, reduces evaporation & increases the carbonic components of the soil. Besides this

the most beneficial use of vermicompost is to consume all harmful bacteria, fungi,

nematodes present in soil. Overall this compost is easily, readily & in low cost available to

the farmers.

40

From ancient times farmers have been largely relying on organic residues, cow dung

composts etc. Then the people of India persued to depend upon on the synthetic fertilizer to

increase production due to the onset of green revolution. In 1950-1960, when the green

revolution emerged, govt. adopted modern agricultural technologies & introduced high

yielding varieties of seeds along with creating provision for farmers. In 1960-1970,

production of cereals & grains increased but as the years passed this revolution started to

show its adverse effects like soil pollution, water pollution, dropping level of ground water,

shrinking of fertile soil, affecting aquatic animals, root cause of many diseases in human

beings. Now it is the time for use of organic farming. The organic farming is a broad

spectrum activity. The demand of this is now increasing all over the world. But the organic

farming movement is still at initial stage around the world. It requires policy level change

& financial support from the government. Now India is emerging as a major player in

global organic markets. India ranks 1st in organic farming & 9th in terms of area under

organic farming. In the last year Sikkim was announced as a fully organic farming state in

the world. Now 70% of the land of our country is engaged for producing organic food.

On the way of finding such sustainable methods for agriculture, we come across

methods like vermicomposting & organic farming. During this time the planet earth is

facing many disasters due to climate change issues, environmental threats & global warming

effects. So it is the time to need use of vermicompost & organic farming in agriculture to

enhance the soil fertility, improve health conditions of people, economic returns of the

farmer community & to finally save the environment. So the world will be a better &

happier place again.

Keywords: Vermicompost, Organic farming, Agriculture, Sustainable, Environment,

Earthworm

41




Ecofriendly Pest Repellent

Dr. Arpita Das

Ms. Vanessa Jena

Mother’s Public School

Health and environmental problems ranging from poisoned waterways and degraded

farmland, to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and diet-linked diseases have forced us to look for a

safer and sustainable way to produce food, to support farm jobs and to reduce the fertiliser

bill.

Fertilizers and pesticides contain a lot of chemicals. Over dosage to the plants are harmful to

the plant’s health. Therefore, we have taken an initiative from ICAR that cow’s urine could

be used in place of pesticides and fertilizers but with a modification. Cow’s urine contains

phosphorus and nitrogen in significant amounts. These nutrients are essential for plant

growth. Research shows that the consumption of nitrogen by the cows in their food is almost

one third of what it gives it out as urine. Therefore, its urine contains sufficient amount of

nitrogen. Research also shows that it’s the main way pests are repelled on the farms in the

Himalayan foothills and across the north eastern state of Sikkim. They seep medicinal leaves

in cow urine and spray the brew over crops. Poor farmers who cannot afford the inputs for

intensive agriculture can benefit most from this method. This helps in getting profit with low

input costs and higher margins.

Keywords: Poisoned waterways, degraded farm lands, antibiotic resistant bacteria, diet linked

diseases, intensive agriculture.

42




Application of Bai Shi Yin Guang Bo Wisdom-Light Technology on Vigna radiata plant

Dr. Arpita Das1

Ms. Barsha Priyadarshini2

Ms. Aditi Harichandan3

Mother’s Public School, Unit 1, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Abstract

Environmental sustainability is used in agriculture to invoke an aura of environmental care

that focuses on reduction of mechanical, chemical, and bio-technical inputs to levels that do

not affect the natural environment.

Bai Shi Yin Guang Bo breakthrough research, discovery and invention of Wisdom-Light

Technology is an approach towards increasing and improving the quantity and quality of

agricultural produce while reducing pollution and toxicity in the process. Wisdom light

technology is a form of energy that provides positive vibrations for growth and development

of plants and reduces the impact of negative energy on the plants due to the presence of

insects and pests in the agricultural fields.

We have tried to focus on the preliminary investigation on the farming practices by the

application of wisdom light technology on Vigna radiata plants in our kitchen garden. Our

project aims to demonstrate the difference in plant health and yield with and without the use

of Wisdom light Technology.

Keywords: Vigna radiate, Wisdom Light Technology, research, discovery, invention,

positive vibrations

43




Studies on application of kitchen waste compost and vermicompost on

production of selective leafy vegetables on roof top Arun K. Rath1 and Sabita Rani Mishra2

1Department of Botany, Sri Jayadev College of Education and Technology, Naharakanta,

Bhubnaeswar-752101, Odisha, India 2 Department of Botany, Rajdhani College, Bhubaneswar-751 003, Odisha, India.

E mail : [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Waste poses a threat to public health and the environment if it is not stored, collected, and

disposed of properly. The perception of waste as an unwanted material with no intrinsic value

has dominated attitudes towards disposal. This study investigates the kitchen waste practices,

waste disposal, application of vermicompost and perceptions about growing of leafy

vegetables on roof top to ensure economy and health in an urban community. The study

conducted at the roof top for disposal of kitchen waste and their proper utilization in

cultivation of selected leafy vegetables. The kitchen waste is organic in nature that

decomposes quickly, producing foul odours and attracts rodents and insects. Management of

kitchen waste reduces or eliminates adverse impacts on land, contamination of the

atmosphere, soil and water. The aim of the present study is to convert kitchen waste into

useful product for better growth and quality of leafy vegetables on the urban roof top so as to

promote sustainable waste management. The kitchen waste materials were dumped in RCC

bins in alternate days mixed with 10 % raw cow. It was noticed that decomposition of

kitchen waste at roof top well performed in 30 days of last dump. The decomposed kitchen

waste/kitchen waste compost mixed with vermicompost were utilized in roof top farming for

growing of leafy vegetables like Amaranthus, spinach and coriander. The leafy vegetable

crops have been grown in the concrete plate 2x1 m size with a height of 15 cm. The basal

part of the concrete plate was filled up with brick pieces of ¾” followed by soil and

decomposed kitchen waste with a ratio of 1:1. The vermicompost was applied @1 kg/m2. It

has been observed that the productivity of the leafy vegetables were 2-3 times more than that

of crops growing in traditional fields. In conclusion this study argues that not only the roof

top farming meets the daily partial requirement of an urban family but also provides

nutritional benefits, organic food security by the by reducing the waste load to the respective

urban area which overall strengthen our urban environments and communities.

Key words : Kitchen waste compost, Vermicompost, Green leafy vegetables, roof top

farming, food security.


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SIGNIFICANCE OF ORGANIC FARMING AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING: A

CASE STUDY OF SIKKIM STATE, INDIA

Mrs. Binita Rai1& Ms. Anjali Prasad

Assistant Professor of Economics,University: Indian Institute of Legal Studies, University of

North Bengal & 2nd Year Student of BCOM LLB (HONS), [email protected]

Organic farming is an efficient way of for being a more sustainable practice of

agriculture which uses simple techniques without harnessing or damaging the environment. It

is one of the most popular rituals in the country in terms of farming and there is increasing

demand for organic products in the market as well. It is because of the fact that people are not

healthy as they used to be in the past and it is said that it is due to the usage of chemical

fertilisers in the food that we eat. The state of Sikkim has abandoned the chemical farming in

the year 2014 and the state legislature had passed the resolution of shifting to organic farming

in the year 2003. Sikkim is rich in biodiversity because of which the soil is rich in organic

content and makes the conversion easier. The present study deals with the importance of

organic farming being one of the best ways of sustainable agriculture in a hilly and

mountainous and increasing population place like Sikkim. Since Sikkim is the first state of

India to officially announce the adoption of organic farming and the only state to convert

entire state into organic government has been helping the state to achieve it. Hence the role of

government is very crucial in the development of organic farming in the study area.

Key words: organic farming, sustainable development, demand, biodiversity, market

INTRODUCTION

In the 20th century the new agricultural practice that evolved was the concept of Organic

farming which is significantly changing the scenario of agricultural sector. Organic farming

continues to be developed by various organizations today. It is defined by the use of

fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and places

emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. There is no use of

chemicals fertilisers, pesticides etc. But, naturally occurring pesticides such

as pyrethrin and rotenone are allowed to be used, while synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are

generally prohibited. Genetically modified organism, nanomaterials, human sewage

sludge, plant growth regulators, hormones, and antibiotic use in livestock husbandry are


45

prohibited. Organic farming advocates claim advantages in sustainability, openness, self-

sufficiency, autonomy independence, health, food security, and food safety. Organic

agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally enforced by many nations,

based in large part on the standards set by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture

Movement (IFOAM), an international umbrella organisation for organic farming

organizations established in 1972. Organic agriculture is a production system that maintains

the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on biodiversity, ecological aspects and

cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic

agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and

promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved for sustainable farming.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To study the growing importance and benefits of organic farming in Sikkim.

2. To study the significance of organic farming in the role of economic

development of the state of Sikkim.

3. To identify the market strategies for the organic farming

4. To have a foresight in the future growth of organic farming in Sikkim.

5. To identify the prospects of sustainable organic farming in Sikkim.

RESEARCH METHODLOGY

The present study is based on the secondary data which have been collected from the annual

reports, Department of Agriculture, Sikkim. Also references, journals, books and articles

have been an important source of data collection in the study.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Singh and Padey (2012) have found that the growth of organic farming in India is

comparatively slower cause of numerous constrain like inaccessible organic supplements,

organic fertilizers, market opportunities etc. The effects can be mostly seen in the small farm

holder adopting organic farming. A.K Barik (2017), organic farming plays as a input output

function envisaged a natural process. The present status of organic farming in India is in a

emerging uniqueness as it attempts to produce products ranging from edible to organic cotton

and fiber etc. a case study with IRF organic package of practice has been conducted to

overcome the technological breakthrough and provide an accessible and better future of

organic farming in India. Gupta (2013) studied on Horticulture and organic farming and

highlighted the issues regarding the performance of organic farming in Madhya Pradesh,

India. It shows that the state is producing main organic crops by increasing total area under

organic cultivation and horticulture is the fastest growing sector in agriculture. Even though,

development of agriculture is still a critical factor in the overall performance of the state. The

46

state requires chemical free, low cost product and horticulture production and improvement

in education of farmers to enhance the productivity.

ORGANIC FARMING IN SIKKIM

Sikkim is 22nd state of Indian Union is based upon an agrarian economy. Sikkim has been

declared 100% organic state in 2015-16 by government of India. In Sikkim more than 64

percent population depends primarily on farming for their livelihood and occupation. There is

increasing market of horticulture which led to rise in the Sikkim’s GDP. Agricultural land in

state is to be estimated about 1, 09, 000 hectares which contribute 15.36 % of total

geographical area of state. Farming is very big challenge in Sikkim due to its hilly

geographical structure and different climatic zones in different districts. Organic mission

started since 2011-12 in state for promoting organic farming, protected cultivation and

protection of bio diversity of state. Marketing of organic food is major challenge in the

Sikkim due to low density of population and lack of storage & transportation facilities in

state. Organic food cannot be distinguish by visual examination thus, there is need of

branding required in state by some well recommended and reputed governmental

organization that can help to overcome the hurdle of marketing of organic products in the

state and to the other part of the nation as well as to other part of the world. Sikkim beat 50

other nominated policies to win the Gold Award for its State Policy on Organic Farming

(2004) and Sikkim Organic Mission (2010), which have enabled it to become the first 100%

organic state in the world. All of its farmland is certified organic. Overall, the transition to

100% organic has benefited more than 66,000 farming families. Organic farming is

considered the agricultural system closest to the traditional Sikkimese way of farming, which

is rain-fed with low external inputs. However, Sikkim’s approach goes far beyond focusing

solely on organic production, it also focuses on consumption and market expansion, health,

education, rural development, and sustainable tourism. As such, Sikkim is an excellent

model for other Indian states and countries worldwide who want to upscale agroecology. In

2003, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling announced the vision for Sikkim to be India’s first

organic state. In 2010, the state launched the “Organic Mission”, an action plan defining the

measures to implement in order to reach the target of converting the entire state to organic.

The plan worked – in 2015 Sikkim declared itself the first organic state in the world. It is the

first time in history that a state set such an ambitious vision and also achieved it. The state

government showed strong political will and policy coherence, along with well-defined

targets and implementation plans. The policy combines mandatory requirements, such as

gradually banning chemical fertilizers and pesticides, with support and incentives to build a

holistic transformation of the whole Sikkimese food system. As certification was seen as a

crucial part of the transformation, 80% of the budget between 2010 and 2014 was used to

47

build the capacity of farmers, rural service providers, and certification bodies and to support

farmers in acquiring certification. In parallel, measures were undertaken to supply farmers

with quality organic seeds, such as the strengthening of local organic seed development and

production.

The policy focuses on enhancing soil fertility, preserving water quality and increasing

biodiversity at the field and landscape level. To improve soil health management, the

government has provided support for farmers to perform 40,000 soil tests per year. The

results are delivered in the form of Soil Health Cards, which give nutrient status and

recommendations on inputs. The policy also cleverly combined the gradual phase-out of

subsidies for synthetic inputs with a conversion strategy that involved training farmers in how

to produce organic inputs such as compost, vermicompost and organic pesticides using local

plants. More than 100 villages with 10,000 farmers in all four districts of the state benefited

from these training programmes during the first pilot phase of the mission (2003-2009).

The phase-out of chemical fertilizers was implemented gradually but firmly. It was a bold

government decision but farmers and citizens say they are proud of this policy and give it

their political support. The policy also sought to build a ‘Sikkim organic brand’, as a way to

target national and international markets. Because of their unique climate and farming

culture, Sikkim’s marketing strategy focusses on specific crops such as cardamom, ginger,

oranges, tea, kiwi fruit, passion fruit and mountain vegetables.

Sikkim’s tourism sector has also benefited from their new organic image: between 2012 and

2016 the number of Indian tourists increased by 40%, and the number of foreign visitors

doubled! Today, organic farming is included in the school curricula. A number of platforms

for knowledge exchange have been established, including livelihood schools, two Organic

Centres of Excellence and three Organic Farming Training Centres, which engage with

unemployed youths. In 2016, a National Organic Farming Research Institute was established.

The Institute provides technical support to organic production systems, not only for Sikkim

but for the whole North East Hills Region of India. The policy recognized that many young

people do not consider agriculture an attractive or viable opportunity for themselves. Today,

experts say that Sikkim is one of the few places in India where young people decide to stay

on the land.

MARKET AND DEMAND FOR ORGANIC FOODS

The Indian organic food industry is growing tremendously and the scope and demand of

organic food is increasing day by day. 300 million population of the country are consumers of

organic market. The country exported organic food products more than $500 million in the

year 2017-2018, up by 39 per cent from the previous year. The nation supports more than 10

48

million organic farmers making us the largest in the world. Surely that’s a number the globe

cannot ignore. Today we are counted among top 10 countries with maximum organic land,

ranking third in the wild collection. The sector is booming, the global demand for Indian

organic food products is on a constant increase. The country is exporting tonnes of organic

oils seeds, cereals and millets, sugar, fruit juice concentrates, tea, spices, pulses, dry fruits,

medicinal plant products etc. every year. The domestic market might be at a nascent stage,

but India makes for one of the biggest suppliers of organic to the markets in the world. The

Indian organic rice ranks second when it comes to exports to Europe. Nature Bio Foods

comprises 59 per cent of the total organic basmati and 77 per cent of the total organic non-

basmati rice exports to the world. And all of this has been supported by our more than 60,000

farming families. With the continuing demand, it wouldn’t be unfair to foresee days when the

Indian organic industry is ruling.

The state of Sikkim has tremendous scope pf organic farming with its neighbouring state of

West Bengal but the problem lies in the proper marketing channel and marketing strategies,

lack of information about the market and consumer’s choice. The demand of the consumers

depends upon various factors such as price of commodity because usually the prices of

organic foods are comparatively high. Since organic farming requires more attention by the

cultivators for the nutrition of the plant it adds up to the cost of the food. There is lack of

information to the consumers because some cannot differentiate between organic and

inorganic food products, the nutritional value is unknown to them. Even if they know

consumers usually prefer cheaper commodity.

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

Though the importance of organic food is increasing in the present era significant difference

lies in the social acceptance and income of the consumer. Since high percentages of the

population are middle income they cannot afford to buy those high price organic foods. There

is asymmetric information in the market for organic foods. Sikkim is a place where there is

diverse population from different culture, caste, creed and religion. Thus the choice of

consumers is highly influenced by the cultural values and traditional perceptions. Many

workshops, training programmes are organised across the state for the cultivators to make

aware of the long term benefits. It is of the fact that organic farming and sustainable farming

goes hand in hand. There is a positive relationship between organic farming and sustainable

agricultural development.

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Different policies and aid should be initiated and further research should be done and effort in

these areas is required, with much depending on the relevance of current research. Policy

makers need to invest in program and policy modifications for promotion of organic farming.

As there is increase in the population, the demand for food grains is also increasing. Keeping

in mind the increasing demand, downfall of the natural resources, excess use of manmade

chemicals and the health of the people it would be better if the farmers adopt integrated

production process where both chemicals and non-chemical production process is mixed.

REFERENCES:

1. Kulkarni S. D. (2016).Organic food concept, opportunities and challenges. Journal of

Processed food Industry, 20(1):22-25

2. Patle G. T., Badyopadhyay K. K. and Kumar M. (2014). An overview of organic

agriculture: A potential strategy forclimate change mitigation. Journal of Applied and

Natural Science, 6 (2): 872 – 879

3. Biao, Xie.et.al (2003). Critical Impact Assessment of Organic Agriculture. E-ISSN

11877863. Volume 16, Issue 3

4. Barik, A. & Sarkar, Narayan. (2017). Organic Farming in India: Present Status,

Challenges and Technological Break through.

5. https://nifa.usda.gov/topic/organic-agriculture

6. https://blog.agrihomegh.com/organic-farming-types-principles/

7. https://www.britannica.com/topic/organic-farming

8. http://thinkscience.in/?p=1123

9. Chief Minister's Office. (2016). Sikkim : Under the leadership of India's greenest

Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling - Sustainable Developmenet through Greening,

Organic Farming and Unique Social Enginering. Gangtok, India: Chief Minister's

Office, Government of Sikkim

https://nifa.usda.gov/topic/organic-agriculture

https://blog.agrihomegh.com/organic-farming-types-principles/


http://thinkscience.in/?p=1123

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ORGANIC FARMING AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION

BIPLAB AUDDYA

P.G.STUDENT, DEPT. OF GEOGRAPHY,

SIDHO-KANHO-BIRSHA UNIVERSITY

E-MAIL ID- [email protected]

MOBILE NUMBER-7431030177

Abstract

Organic Farming is a method of farming and agriculture that involves much than

choosing not to use the fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms. Organic

farming system in India is not a new farming method, it is being followed from ancient time.

It is a method of farming system that’s aim at cultivating the land and raising the crops in

such a way by using biological materials along with beneficial microbes to release nutrients

to crops for increasing sustainable production in an eco friendly pollution free environment,

protect the environment, decrease soil and water pollution and maintain long-term soil

fertility etc. Pure organic farming, Integrated organic farming are the types of organic

farming. There are many types of organic farming like Crop Rotation, Green Manure,

Biological Pest Control, Compost, Management of Soil, Management of Weeds etc.

FAO suggested that “Organic agriculture is a unique production management system

which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological

cycles and soil biological activity and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic,

biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs”.

According to World Organic Agri Report 2018, India is the home, to 30 percentage of

the total organic producers in the world, but it accounts for just 2.59 percentage (1.5 million

hectares of the total organic cultivation area of 57.8 million hectares). More than 30% of

world’s organic production in India. India is the largest exporter of organic cotton worldwide

and India also exported 1.35 million metric tons of “certified organic” food in the year of

2015-16. But there are some limitation like production costs are high, cannot produce enough

food etc.

Keywords – Introduction, Objectives, Types, Methods, Advantages and Disadvantages.


51




ORGANIC FARMING AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION

BIPLAB AUDDYA

P.G.STUDENT, DEPT. OF GEOGRAPHY,

SIDHO-KANHO-BIRSHA UNIVERSITY

E-MAIL ID- [email protected]

MOBILE NUMBER-7431030177

Introduction

Organic farming is an agricultural process that uses biological fertilizers and pest

control acquired from animal and plant waste. Organic farming is a new system of farming or

agriculture that improves the ecological balance. It is the method of crop production that not

to use pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, genetically modified organisms and growth

hormones. The objectives of Organic Farming is for increase genetic diversity, control pests,

diseases and weeds, promote more usage of natural pesticides, It is natural habitat sources are

less threatened, it provides healthier food for people, the soil is in the better condition

because of the manure used. Organic farming is able to maintain the balance of an ecosystem.

Organic farming is a technique, which involves cultivation of plants and animals in natural

ways. It relies on ecologically balanced agricultural principles like crop rotation, green

manure, biological pest control, mineral and the rock additives. Crop rotation is one of the

main constituent of this kind of agriculture. In this method of farming a great emphasis is laid

on maintaining the properties of the soil by crop rotation. It is a farming method that is

involves growing and nurturing crops without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. It helps us

to relies on ecologically balance agricultural principles like crop rotation, green manure,

organic waste, biological pest control, rock additives and mineral. After the every crop the

farmers grow leguminous plants with the atmospheric NO2 which is an important thing for

improved crop production. The leguminous plants through their roots in the deep soil and fix

the NO2 into the soil to make the soil fertile again. Organic production is a holistic system to

optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem,

including plants, soil organisms, livestock and people. The organic standards generally

products of genetic engineering and animal cloning, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge,

synthetic food processing aids.


52

The main cause of organic farming state for wanting to farm organically are their

concerns for the environment and working with agricultural chemicals in conventional

farming systems. In the organic farming is a pollution free and environmental friendly

farming. Certified organic, a term is given to produce according to organic standards as

certified by one of the certifying bodies. In June 2009, the Canadian government introduced

regulations to regulate organic products, under these regulations the Canadian Food

Inspection Agency (CFIA) oversees organic certification, including Conformity Verification

Bodies (CVBs) and certification Bodies (CBs). Most of the developed countries and some

developing nations are returning to organic farming practice during the last two decades.

Agriculture is a key sector for the economic development for most developing countries. It is

critically important for ensuring food security.

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) described

the organic agriculture in the following way: “Organic agriculture is a production system that

sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes,

biodiversity and cycle adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse

effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared

environment and promote fair relationship and a good quality of life for all involved”.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) suggested the following “Organic

agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-

ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, and

this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical method in

exclusion of all synthetic off farm inputs”.

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) study team on organic farming is

“Organic Farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs

(such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc) and to the maximum extent

feasible rely upon crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste,

mineral grade rick additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant

protection”.

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) described

the organic farming “Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of

soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles

adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic

agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and

promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved”.

53

National Program on Organic Production (NPOP), India describe organic agriculture

in the following “Organic agriculture is a system of farm design and management to create an

eco-system which can achieve sustainable productivity without the use of artificial external

inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides”.

The global organic food market size is of 63.8 billion USD (2013-2014). India’s total

export of organic agricultural production in 2013-2014 was 220.47 million USD.

Objectives of Organic Farming

1. Increase the genetic diversity.

2. Product more crop and create food security.

3. Control the soil erosion, control pests, diseases and weeds.

4. Keep and build good soil structure and fertility.

5. Increase genetic diversity.

6. Promote more usage of natural pesticides.

7. NO2 fixation in soil using legumes.

8. Conservation of natural habitats and wildlife.

9. Lower input costs in agriculture.

10. Drought Resistance.

11. Develop the economic conditions of the farmers.

12. Reduced the environmental pollution.

13. Economic Improvement.

14. Get fresh and healthy foods.

History

The organic farming is the concepts of agriculture were developed in the early 1900s

by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, Rudolf Steiner, and others who believed that the use of

animal manures, cover crops, crop rotation and the biologically based pest controls resulted

in a better farming system. Organic food sales increased steadily from the late 20th century.

Types of Organic Farming

1. Pure Organic Farming – In this type of organic farming not use any type of inorganic

chemicals and pesticides.

2. Integrated Organ Farming – It involves integrated nutrients management and

integrated pest management. It is the type of farming by growing the crops from

natural resources.

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3. Integration of the different farming system – Integration of different farming system

involves several other components of the farming such as poultry, mushroom

production, goat rearing and fishpond simultaneously with regular crop components.

Methods of the Organic Farming

1. Crop Rotation – It is the technique to grow the various types of crops in the same

area, according to the different season, in a sequential way.

2. Biological Pest Control – By this method, we use living organisms to control pests

with or without the use of chemicals.

3. Green Manure – It refers to the dying plants that are uprooted and turned into the soil

to make them act as the nutrient for the soil to increase its quality.

4. Compost – Highly rich in nutrients, it is a recycled organic matter used as a fertilizer

in agricultural farms.

5. Management of Weeds – By the organic farming mainly focuses on removing the

weeds from the soil during the crop production. As the result the production of the

crops affected. The two most widely used weed management techniques are

Mulching, Mowing or Cutting.

6. Management of Soil – Soil management is a process of organic farming. Repeatedly

farming in a same land, the soil fertility rate low to low day by day. In this organic

farming the nutrients are recharged in the soil by natural or eco-friendly process. After

the crop cultivation the soil loses its nutrients and its quality deplete. Organic

agriculture initiates the use of the natural ways to increase fertility of the soil. The

bacteria help in making the soil nutrients more productive and fertile. To process of

recharging the soil with all the necessary nutrients is called soil management. In

organic farming the nutrients are recharged in the soil through natural ways to

increase the soil fertility.

7. Crop Diversity – Monoculture is the practice used in the agricultural fields where we

harvest and cultivate the one type of the crops in a particular place. To meet the

increasing crop demand and produce the required soil microorganisms.

8. Controlling other organisms – There are both useful and also the harmful organisms

in the agricultural farm, that’s affect on the agricultural field. So, we need to control

the growth of such of the organisms to protect the soil and the crops.

Advantages of Organic Farming

1. Good return on Investment – With the usage of the cheaper and local inputs, a farmer

can make a good return on investment.

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2. Environment Friendly – The agricultural product is free of chemical and fertilizers, so

it an eco-friendly product.

3. High Demand – There is a huge demand for the organic product is a fully chemical

free and fertilizers product and tastier, nutritional product. So, it is a high demanded

product, generated more income.

4. Economical – In organic farming there is no use of fertilizers, HYV seeds, pesticides

are required for the plantation of crops.

5. Organic farming helps us to prevent environmental degradation and used to

regenerate degraded areas.

6. Organic manures produce an ideal condition in the soil for high yields and good

quality of crops.

7. This type of farming is a poison free farming.

8. Organic farming was improving the soil chemical properties such as supply soil

nutrients and promotes favorable chemical reactions.

9. Organic foods are free from harmful pesticides, antibiotics and additives.

10. Farmers ban be reduce their production costs because they don’t have to spend a lot of

money for chemical and fertilizers.

11. The nutritional value is higher in organic foods.

12. The food tastes is better and is poison free.

Disadvantages of Organic Farming

1. Limited Production – Off-Season crops are limited and the production amount is very

few, that is not enough for food production. Organic farming cannot produce enough

food that the world population needs to survive.

2. Shorter Shelf-Life – Organic products have more flaws and shorter shelf of life than

chemical production.

3. The production costs are a high error because farmers need more workers.

4. The food illness may happen more often.

5. Organic food is the more expensive because farmers not get as much out of their land

as conventional farmers do.

Principles of the Organic Farming

1. The Principle of the ecological balance – The organic farming on living ecological

system. Moreover, the methods of organic farming must fit the ecological balance and

ecological cycles.

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2. Principle of fairness – Organic farming provides a good quality of life and helps us to

reducing the soil infertility.

3. Principle of Health – Organic farming must be contribute to the health and well being

of plants, animals, humans, soil and the earth.

4. Principle of care – Organic agriculture in a careful and responsible way to help us to

the present and future generations and the environment.

Why is Conventional Farming Unsustainable ?

1. Loss of the biodiversity due to monoculture.

2. Soil erosion due to the deep ploughing and heavy rains.

3. Loss of soil fertility due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and lack of crop

rotation.

4. Nitrates run-off during rains contaminates water resources.

5. Use of poisonous biocide sprays to curb pest and weeds.

6. Marketing of organic produce is also not properly streamlined.

7. The guidelines for organic production, transportation, processing and certification are

not so easy or understanding for the Indian farmer.

Growth of Organic Farming

The world market for organic food has growth for over 15 years. The growth of retail

sales in North America is predicted to be 10% to 20% per year during the next few years. The

retail organic food production market in Canada is estimated at over 1.5 billion in 2008 and

22.9 billion in the USA in 2008. It’s estimated that imported products make up over 70% of

the organic food consumed in Canada. In the Canadian Organic farmers reported 669

certified organic farms in Ontario in 2007 with over 100000 certified organic acres of crops

and pasture land. Livestock production (meat, dairy and eggs) has also been steadily

increasing in the recent years. In the United States, retail sales increased from 20.39 billion in

2008 to 47.9 billion in 2019, while sales in Europe reached more than 37 billion in 2017. The

price of organic food is generally higher than that of conventionally grown food. The price of

organic food can be anywhere from less than 10% below to more than 100% above that of

conventionally grown produce.

Organic Farming in India

The main reason for organic farming in India is that farmers state to farm organically

is their concern about working with agricultural chemical in the farming system. According

to World Agri report 2018, India is the home, to 30% of the total organic production in the

57

world, but accounts for just 2.59% (1.5 million hectares of the total organic farming land of

57.8 million hectares). A huge amount of fossil fuels used in agricultural system but organic

farming is the method of farming to be profitable and eco-friendly. Indian organic market has

a compared to 16% global growth rate. Oilseeds comprised half of Indian’s overall organic

food export, processed food products at 25%. India exported 1.35 million metric tons of

“certified organic” food in the year of 2015-2016. More than 30% of world’s organic

producers are in India. Current Indian organic market is estimated at more than 4000 crore

and it is likely to increases to 10000 to 200000 crore by 2020. India exported over 300

products in 20 different categories.

India is a agricultural based country, where more than two third of the population is

involved in agricultural sector. Before the time on 1960, India is a traditional based

agricultural country and used chemical fertilizers and pesticides for agriculture. But on 1960,

the Indian government had entered into the path of so called Green Revolution. After the

green revolution the crop production rate are more increases and our country was able to

satisfy partly the food security. National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) defined

its regulatory framework. Initial estimates during 2003-2004 suggested that approximately

42000 hector of cultivated land certified organic. By the year 2009 India had brought more

than 9.2 million hector of land under certification and it has been increased further.

The Gross Domestic Product rate of agriculture in India has been registered a steady

decline from 50% in 1950-51 to 12.5% in 2014-15. The essential concept of the practices is

“give back to nature”, where the philosophy is to feed the soil rather them the crop to

maintain the soil health.

Sikkim is the first state in India to 100% organic and won the ‘Oscar for best

policies’, conferred by the Food and Agriculture Organization for the world’s best policies

promoting agro ecological and sustainable food production. Sikkim was beat 51 nominations

from 25 different countries of the whole world to win the Future Policy Award 2018. The

Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Kumar Chamling received the award from the Deputy

Director of UN’s FAO Maria Helena Semedo in Rome on October 15.

Conclusion

Organic farming can be a viable and alternative food production method for farmers,

but there are some limitation like production costs are high, cannot produce enough food etc.

Organic farming can be a viable alternative method for farmers. The organic farming is a not

a new concept of farming. Many poor, small and marginal farmers mainly helpful by organic

farming because the investment amount is few. It is a one type of sustainable farming.

58

Economic and social benefits like rural employment, improved household nutrition, food

security and the lower urban migration will be large gains in the economic conditions. In the

present and the future time the food products by organic farming is more demanded.

References

1. Adamchak, Raoul. (n.d.). Organic farming.Britannica.


2. Barik, A. K. (2017). Organic Farming in India: Present Status, Challenges and

Technological Break Through. International Journal of Economic Plants. 04(04),

182-189.

3. Kankam, Theresah.(2017, July 27). Organic Farming: Types, Principles, Methods

and Importance. MyFarm. https://blog.agrihomegh.com/organic-farming-types-

principles/

4. Maitra, Sagar. Zaman, A. (n.d.). Organic farming in India: status, scope and potential.

5. Organic Farming, Types, methods, objectives and advantages | Organic farming in

India. (2018, November 23). https://www.upsciasexams.com/article-

details/219/Organic%20Farming,%20Types,%20methods,%20objectives%20and%20

advantages%20%7C%20Organic%20farming%20in%20India

6. http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/org_farm/orgfarm_introduction.html

7. https://byjus.com/commerce/organic-farming/

8. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/09-077.htm




https://www.upsciasexams.com/article-details/219/Organic%20Farming,%20Types,%20methods,%20objectives%20and%20advantages%20%7C%20Organic%20farming%20in%20India



http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/org_farm/orgfarm_introduction.html

https://byjus.com/commerce/organic-farming/

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/09-077.htm

59




VERMICOMPOSTING: A Gateway to Organic Farming

Dr. Kshan Prabha Sahoo

Department of Botany, N.C. Autonomous College Jajpur, Odisha-755001, India

Email:[email protected]

During covid-19 situation, the farmers are the real heroes who are struggling for their

livelihood. There is a ray of hope for creating self-sufficiency by organic farming. The

farmers are also the heroes of this pandemic who supply fresh harvested fruits and vegetables

every day. Agriculture is a sector which will go on and on whatever may happen to the world.

Vermicomposting is the process by which the decomposition of various waste material like

food or vegetable waste, biodegradable waste, organic waste are converted to simple manure

by the help of earthworms. The waste is converted to worm castings, humus, worm manure,

faeces as the byproduct of the breakdown of the organic waste matters. Vermicomposting

contains a water soluble nutrient which is rich in organic fertilizers used as a soil conditioner.

Vermicomposting is used in organic farming, small scale sustainable farming. This process

can be applied for sewage treatment. It protects and converts the microbial population and

provides micro and macro nutrients to plants. This type of compost increases the soil texture

thereby increasing the water holding capacity. This is a natural process of recycling which

reduces wastes, greenhouse gas emissions, reduces pollution and reduces the need of

chemical fertilizers and pesticides too.

In this pandemic situation spending huge money and purchasing chemical fertilizers is quite

difficult for our farmer friends. So, Organic Farming using vermicomposting is quite cost

effective and it will not pose any harmful effect on environment. This is a sustainable

agricultural approach in present scenario. In this Pandemic times the migrant labourers

returning back to their natives, increasing population of an area, per capita income of a

family, losing jobs in private sector, demand of skill development, MSME sector,

Atmanirbhar Bharat has brought us to this agricultural sector where we can think of organic

farming through vermicomposting. Vermicomposting provides good quality of food without

any harmful chemical constituents in it. The intestine of earthworms secretes some enzymes

like proteases, lipases, amylase,cellulases and chitinases for converting the organic wastes

into useful form. This novel methods depends on the growth patterns of earthworms. The

60

length, structure, reproduction and density of earthworms will give the idea about the proper

implementation of vermicomposting. The temperature, moisture, pH also plays a great role in

culturing the earthworms. This process took about 30-150 days for proper conversion of the

waste.

Organic farming always maintains a harmony with the environment by increasing soil

productivity through natural system. It is the balanced relationship between the soil, plant and

ecology in the adverse environmental condition. In 1980s Organic farming was in fastest

mode using manure and natural methods but now in mid 90s to 2000 it has lost its speed and

use of chemical has degraded the quality of soil, plant and ecosystem. Now again there is

demand for Organic foods as there is growing diseases, mutated microbes which has changed

the scenario.Now we are adopting ancient practices for developing organic farming. It takes

care of all biotic and abiotic factors involved in the ecosystem. If we go with nature then

there will be a sustainable agriculture. The key objective of organic farming through

vermicomposting is the demand of present people. Organic farming always points to have

better quality, taste, high nutritional values, less use of pesticides etc. The edible crops like

sugarcane, cereals, millets, pulses, medicinal plants not only grab the market value but also

the non-edible cotton fibres, jute, biodiesel yielding crops too. Organic Farming should be

encouraged to build relationship between the consumer and the producers (farmers) for a

sustainable life supportive system. The government has to develop strategies in MSME to

provide good opportunities to the farmer friends in this sector. So the farming through

Organic manures by vermicomposting will definitely solve the problem of food security

globally.

KEYWORDS: Vermicomposting, Organic Farming, Sustainable Agriculture, Earthworm,

Atmanirbhar Bharat.

61




Effect of fly ash on physical and biochemical parameters of

Macrotylomauniflorum.

1Kalpita Bhatta*, 2Hemant Kumar Patra, 2Shantilata Sahoo and 1Arsia Tabish.

1Department of Botany,Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha.

2P.G Department of Botany, Utkal University, Odisha

Abstract

The present study evaluates the potency of an orphan crop Macrotylomauniflorum,growthin

fly ash.Generallythe legumes are known as orphan crop as they have been mostly

underutilized and neglected. However in this era of climate change to increase the food and

nutrition security the legumes should be given their due importance. Coal is the major source

for generating electrical energy in India. Fly ash produced in this process poses a great

problem for its disposal. It is an amorphous Alumino- Silicate mineral containing naturally

occurring essential element similar to that of soil except humus. Though fly ash is used in

construction, or in reclaiming acidic soil depending on its pH .But a larger portion of it

remain unused. However in 2003 Central Fuel Research Institute has developed Fly Ash soil

Amendment technology (FASAT) through which it is possible to use Fly Ash in bulk

quantities and increase the yield of different crops on a sustainable basis. In the present work

FASAT technology was used by taking pot culture with different proportion of fly ash and

soil in the ratio of 1:1, 2:1,3:1 and 4:1.Thereafter periodic growth was recorded at regular

interval. The ratio of 4:1 showed higher rate of germination with 90%. However 3:1

recorded the highest height of 9cm.The protein was estimated by Lowry method. The ratio

of 3:1 gave the maximum result.It showed19.42 mg/g of protein than soil which gave a

result of 10.294 mg/g of protein.

62




ORGANIC FARMING : A WAY TOWARDS NEW INDIA

*KESHARI PRASAD MOHANTY

*B SC. BOTANY STUDENT

N.C AUTONOMOUS COLLEGE

JAJPUR, ODISHA, INDIA

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The world population is 7.7 billion as per October 2019. To fulfill all the requirements of out

growing population our ecosystem needs more output, as a result it causes pollution. India is

a country which is rich in Temple, Masjid, Girja like many worship places. Everyday due to

the ethical aspects of the people many bio-degradable waste materials like flowers, fruit

peels, leaves & pollens are produced with a great extent. These waste materials cause

pollution. But we can use it as Bio-fertilizer by preparing compost & humus. These organic

materials are rich in all sources of nutrients. As organic farming is a zero waste, cyclic

process hence this waste material can used as a high grade bio-fertilizer to increase the

productivity of soil.

Key words :- Ethical aspects, Bio-fertilizer, Humus, Organic Farming

63




ENZYMATIC POTENTIAL OF SERICULTURE WASTE DURING

VERMICOMPOSTING

Dr (Mrs) Mamata Pandey

Dept of Zoology

Rajendra college (Auto). Bolangir.Odisha.


ABSTRACT

Non–mulberry silkworms such as Philosamia ricini (Eri) and Antheraea mylitta

(Tasar) culture are of significance to the economy of the tribal population of Western Odisha.

The rearing of silkworms produces large amount of waste which goes unutilized. The major

part of the waste of silkworm contains larval excreta, leaf litter and dead larvae, moth &

cocoons. This organic waste can be profitably utilized for vermicomposting which has a lot

of commercial potential. The present investigation is intended to study the quality of the

compost from sericulture waste by vermicomposting. It is the process of mineralization and

mobilization of nutrients from organic waste using earthworms. During the process a number

of enzymes are released to the soil. The activity of these enzymes is the index of the quality

of composting. In my project the activity of enzymes such as amylase, cellulase, invertase

and dehydrogenase were assayed. Perionyx excavatus a locally available epigeic earthworm

was taken for the experiment. The quality of the compost was determined on 0,15,30,45, and

60 days of decomposition. The findings reveal that the specific activity of the enzymes

increased steadily during decomposition of the waste.

Keywords: Vermicomposting, Seri waste, amylase,cellulase,invertase and dehydrogenase

mailto:[email protected]*

64




VERMI - TECHNOLOGY - A FACT SHEET

Dr Manas Ranjan Satpathy

Assistant Professor, P.G. Department of Botany,

Dhenkanal Autonomous College, Dhenkanal.

Introduction:

Modern day agriculture requires a concept to be practiced for boosting the soil

fertility which should be economic, ecologically sustainable having no adverse effect on

environment and beneficial to the society. We have all seen earthworms living under the soil

but never realized their importance to agriculture. Vermiculture seems to be an unique

sustainable methodology for the waste treatment having a great potential in the field of

organic waste management. This has become a technology where non-toxic organic residues

of plant and animal wastes are used as substrates to produce vermicastings. With the advent

of this the organic wastes from different sources are converted into usable form of nutrients

through bio -oxidation and stabilization with the synergistic efforts of earthworms and

microbes. As this has a larger potential for being used as plant growth media and soil

conditioner being highly rich in nutrients, this methodology has been upgraded to the status

of vermi-technology. Though this technology is not new to our country, still it has not

penetrated every corner of the farming community due to the lack of awareness and

unavailability of a group of microorganisms which have profound effects on maintaining soil

health and increasing crop production.

What is Vermiculture and Vermicomposting:

'Vermi' means worms (earthworms) and 'culture' means farming; hence,

vermiculture is a farming of earthworms, which are annelids. In this process, earthworms are

used under controlled conditions as versatile natural bioreactors who convert the organic

solid waste into a valuable nutrient-rich by-product.

When compost is prepared by using earthworms in order to fasten the process of

decomposing the plant and animal waste is called vermicompost and the process is

called vermicomposting.

Advantages of Vermicomposting:

65

It is one of the simplest and cost effective methods for the production of

composting for both the small and large scale farmers by utilizing earthworms. Vermi-

composting, rightly called “gold from garbage” is the major input in organic agriculture

production. Owing to simple technology, many farmers are engaged in vermin-composting

production as it promotes soil health, soil productivity and reduces the cost of cultivation.

There is a gradual but slow increase of adoption of this technology due to the high level of

nutrient contents.

Nutrients Content in Vermicompost(%)

Organic Carbon 9.15-17.98

Total Nitrogen 1.5 to 2.10

Total Phosphorus 1.0 to 1.50

Total Potassium 0.60

Ca and Mg 0.0022-0.0070

Available S 0.0128-0.0548

Copper 0.0100

Iron 0.01800

Zinc 0.050

pH 6.9 – 7.2

Difference between Vermicompost & Compost:

Vermicomposting is the method of preparation of compost with the action of

worms. It is the process in which worms quickly breakdown the organic particles into smaller

components. But, composting on the other hand is left beside which takes enough time to

convert into manure for using it during crop cultivation. Traditional composting kills most

harmful microorganisms that come with the organic wastes. Vermicompost enhances plant

growth, suppresses disease in plants, increases porosity and microbial activity in soil and

improves water retention and aeration. Vermicompost also benefits the environment by

reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and decreasing the amount of waste going to

landfills.

Types of Worms used:

There are worms which are referred to by a variety of common names, including

red worms, African worms, red wigglers, tiger worms, brandling worms and manure worms.

The scientific names of some of the worms are: Elsinia foetida, Megascolex mauritii,

Lampito mauritii, Lampito rubellus, Eisenia andrei, Eudrilus euginae, Drawida willis,

Perionyx excavate and Eudrillus engenial.

Products obtained from Vermi-technology:

a. Vermicompost: It is an odourless, dark brown biofertilizer which is rich in potential

microbes and micro and macronutrients obtained from the process of vermi-technology.

66

This is an excellent soil additive and act as effective biofertilizer made up of digested

compost.

b. Vermiwash: It is a brown colored leachate that is produced during the

vermicomposting process by the action of worms which is a rich source of macronutrients

and micronutrients important in maintaining soil health and for increasing crop

production. Vermiwash also contains many plant microbes beneficial for growth and

development of plants.

Factors affecting Vermi-technology:

a. It is necessary to maintain optimum amount of moisture during vermiculture process

because excess of water or lack of moisture could affect population of the earthworms.

b. It has been observed that African species of earthworms such as Elsinia foetida and

Eudrilus euginae are more efficient than their Indian counterparts.

c. Kitchen wastes such as onion, garlic, zinger, chili, tobacco leaves, etc. are not suitable

for vermicomposting.

d. Birds, rats, ants, termites, etc. are harmful to the earthworms hence not productive.

e. Materials of animal origin such as egg shells, meat, bone, chicken droppings, etc.

should be avoided in preparing vermicompost and vermiwash.

f. Plant based material wastes such as grass, leaves, vegetable based peels, plant parts

should be used during the preparation of pits.

Six benefits of Vermi-technology:

a. By using this, you naturally fertilize your plants and can save money on buying

fertilizers, soil conditioners, and insecticides that are necessary for gardens to maintain

their health. You can even turn your hobby of improving your garden profitable by selling

both the worms and castings produced to farmers, nurseries, and pet shops.

b. The “compost tea” created from vermicomposting helps to combat common diseases

in plants such as tomato blight, grape and squash mildew. This compost is beneficial to

the health of vegetables, fruits, and trees, and enhances growth all around.

c. Vermiculture helps in cutting down of your household waste. The red worms used

continue to reproduce as long as there is food waste for them to consume. Once the food

runs out, the worms begin to die. To maintain a successful worm bin, one has to

constantly add household vegetable food scraps to the bins to keep the worms alive and

thereby greatly cut down on the amount of waste you throw out at your home.

d. Products grown out of this are shown to grow larger and in some cases even taste

better. In commercial settings, products grown in this manner demand a higher price due

to their better quality.

67

e. Vermiculture is an organic process that cuts out the need to be concerned about the

risks associated with traditional chemicals and fertilizers. The toxins such as benzene and

xylene that are contained in some pesticides and fertilizers can cause serious damage to

human’s organs and the nervous system.

f. Vermi-technology is an odorless method which can easily be adapted at the domestic

front.

Challenges/Constraints for Vermi-technology:

a. There are several parts in India where awareness regarding this technology is still far

away. Agriculturists still use the cow dung under traditional methods in the field without

following the prescribed norms.

b. SOPs need to be developed to educate the farmers to the technical aspects for making

compost through nurturing of earthworms and managing the vermi-technology.

c. Intensive training and capacity building are required to be developed at the farmer

entrepreneur level to attract them to such technology.

d. Due to limited resources, in most places across the country the vermin-technology is

being utilized by the farmers for its own domestic use in farms or field. But, adoption of

vermicomposting as an enterprise is still not been conceived as a viable option by many.

e. Organic farming is gaining very much importance rapidly but there is a limited

demand for vermicompost. Simultaneously, the retail networking of existing vermi units

are very weak for which it is not getting popularized.

f. Due to unavailability of efficient earthworm species, it becomes difficult to start a

vermi unit as they are the principal constituents of such technology.

g. The quality of compost depends on the quality of raw materials from which this has

been made and there are variation of nutrition level, accordingly. There is less

laboratories available to analyze the chemical composition of the vermicompost in the

semi-urban and rural areas of the country. There is no single window system to regulate

the vermi-technology in India.

Conclusion:

Vermiculture has been given the status of technology which works with the objectives

such as waste management of community, highly economical and sustainable way of

increasing crop production, replaces the costly and hazardous chemical fertilizers and poverty

eradication programs in villages. The chemical fertilizers are produced from non renewable

resources of earth whereas the vermicompost has emerged as a suitable and sustainable

68

alternative for the farmer which are produced from renewable sources, pollution free and

ecofriendly. It can be concluded that for the practice of much needed organic farming the

vermi-technology is the emerged as most befitting alternative available today.

References:

Aalok, A., Tripathi, A. K. and Soni, P. (2008). Vermicomposting: a better option for organic

solid waste management. J. Human Ecol. 24: 59-64.

Bhiday, M. R.(1994). Earthworms in agriculture. Indian Farming, 43(12):31-34.

Geetanjly, Sharma, P., Rai, V. L. and Kushwaha, R. (2015). Role of eco-friendly approaches

in sustainable agriculture. Int. J. Curr. Multidisciplinary Stud. 1: 31-41.

Soni,R. and Sharma,A.(2016). Vermiculture technology: A novel approach in organic

farming. Ind. Hort. J. 6(1):150-154.

Zularisam, A.W., Zahirah, Z.S., Zakaria, I., Syukiri, M.M, Anwar, A. and Sakinah, M.

(2010). Production of biofertilizer from vermicomposting process of municipal sewage

sludge. J. App. Sc. 10: 580-584.

69




VERMICOMPOSTING AND ORGANIC FARMING

Manjusha Tyagi1*Rukhsar Parveen2, Ankita3, Santosh Arya4

1*Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, SBAS, SGRR, University, Dehradun

2Research scholar Department of Microbiology, SBAS, SGRR, University, Dehradun 3Research scholar Department of Microbiology, SBAS, SGRR, University, Dehradun 4Research scholar Department of Microbiology, SBAS, SGRR, University, Dehradun

CorrespondenceAuthor- [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The modern form of organic farming is new concept .However it being popular in the world

and developed countries. India has tremendous potential to grow crops and vegetable

organically and emerge as a major supplier of organic product in the world organic market.

Vermicomposting play a very important role in organic farming. It is non- thermophilic

biodegradation of organic material through the interaction between microorganism and

earthworm.Vermicomposting is a safe, sustainable approach for treating organic waste. The

decomposition of complex organic waste resource into odour free humus-like substance

through the action of earthworms. It is being commercialized all over the world. It spread

many countries like china,US & Australia. Vermicompost are beneficial the environment by

reducing the chemicals fertilizer and decreasing the waste going to landfills. A new product

of vermicomposting is vermicompost tea which is a liquid produced by extracting organic

matter, microorganism and nutrient from vermicompost. Now a days vermicomposting is

spread in India and other countries. It is easily storable, cheap, and do not create any

pollution and also easy adaptability by farmer. At present farmer move forward to organic

farming. It is more valuable and beneficial in our society.

Keywords- Vermicomposting, organic matter, vermicompost, earthworms, vermicompost tea


70




EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL LIKE ZINC (Zn2+) IN ORGANICALLY

AMENDED SOILS

Dr.Manna Milian

Dept. of Botany, Binayak Acharya College , Berhampur, email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Accumulation of heavy metals in soils is posing a serious threat to the flora and fauna as it is

entering the food chain via different sources. A study was conducted on Zinc, a heavy metal

regarding the effect of heavy metal on seedling growth in organically amended soils.

Anthropogenic activities have been identified as major source of heavy metals entering to food

chain hence organic agriculture has been popularized throughout the world in recent past due to

safety and environmental concerns. Application of chemical fertilizer and sludge has been

restricted for organic agriculture as scientific evidences shown that those may contain hazardous

heavy metals. Continuous use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in over dose have given a

great impact on rising the heavy metal concentration in fruits, vegetables and ground water

aquifers.Since most of the ingestion of heavy metals in humans occurs from the consumption of

plants, addressing how heavy metals impact plant growth can aid in controlling heavy metal

toxicity .Roots of plants are primarily the contact site for heavy metals, in addition to that, aerial

organs of plants (leaves, fruits and flowers) are also possible media to absorb heavy metals

directly due to particles deposited on their surfaces . In plants, uptake of heavy metals depends

on the plant species and bioavailability of the metal in the soil. The seeds of the experimental

plant material were treated with different concentrations of the metal from 0.1mg/L to

1000mg/L. Higher concentrations of zinc reduced the seedling growth as manifested by the

decrease in root length, shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight. However , lower

concentrations of the metals stimulated growth. But the metal caused significant loss in

chlorophyll content at the concentrations of 10 and 100 mg/L . The two components of

chlorophyll i.e., chlorophyll a and b also exhibited similar trends. Lower concentration of the

metal cause a significant decrease in carotenoid content but at higher concentrations there was an

increase in the content of the pigment . There was an increase in the protein content in shoot and

root with increase in concentration of zinc but marginal decline in protein at higher

concentrations. Further studies can be made regarding effect of zinc in plant growth in

organically amended soils.

Keywords: heavy metal, organically amended soils, chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein


71




Sustainability in Agriculture

Milimita Padhi

Government Science College, Chatrapur

ABSTRACT

Great progress in agricultural productivity in the last decades, with crop and livestock

productivity has also driven increased use of fertilizers, irrigation water, agricultural

machinery, pesticides and land have put adverse effects on environmental goods and services.

In recent years Integration of biological and ecological processes is in demand for food

production, which can minimize the use of non-renewable inputs that cause harm to the

environment and human beings. sustainability in agricultural systems strongly need to

develop technologies and practices that do not have adverse effects on natural environments

and can take care of food scares related to contamination and animal diseases, public fears of

genetic modification, and must be accessible to and effective for farmers. 3 Pillars of

Sustainability includes: Profit over the long term, Stewardship of our nation’s land, air and

water, Quality of life for farmers, ranchers and their community. Sustainable agriculture

outcomes can be positive for food productivity, reduced pesticide use and carbon balances.

Significant challenges, however, remain to develop national and international policies to

support the sustainable forms of agricultural production across both industrialized and

developing countries.

72




ORGANIC FARMING: A MODERN APPROACH FOR CULTIVATION OF

MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

1MUNIT SHARMA, 2RISHI THAKUR, 2PARDEEP KUMAR, 2SUNIL KUMAR AND

2MUNISH SHARMA*

1Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar

2School of Life Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, TAB, Shahpur (Kangra)

*Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants form a major segment of the flora, which provides resources

for use in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and drug industries. The medicinal plants in

different drug industries are of immense significance due to an increase in the production of

biomass produced without the use of harmful chemicals. The medicinal and aromatic plant

species under organic agriculture helps in the improvement of yield as well as quality due to

well use of organic fertilizers and microbial symbiosis. However, the question on the relative

benefits of both the conventional and organic farming systems in recent times gained

considerable interest. The global agricultural development has focused on increased

productivity rather than on integrated natural resource management for food security. Thus,

increasing more sustainable farming practices on a large scale is of maximum importance.

Organic farming and practices enhance farm productivity and profitability, soil health (soil

fertility and productivity), etc. Organic farming, biodynamic farming, and ecological farming

are the main components of the natural way of farming. Natural farming is self-sufficient but

it is complicated to meet our requirement to feed the increasing population and food security.

Conversely, chemical farming yields a large amount but poses severe harms for soil,

environment, and human health. There is a path in between above mentioned two types of

systems of farming, that is organic farming and its aim is to create integrated, humane,

environmentally and economically agricultural production systems, which capitalize

dependence on farm-derived renewable resources and the management of ecological and

biological processes and interactions to provide an acceptable level of the crop, livestock and

human nutrition, protection from pests and diseases and an appropriate return to the human

and other resources employed.As a result of the optimistic influence of organic components

in medicinal and aromatic plant species cropping system, those farmers who adopted organic


73

farming management practices, have found an approach to improve the overall quality of

their soil, or at least repress the deterioration established productive capacity for future

generations. So, organic farming of medicinal and aromatic plant species is a technical

modern concept and is an environmentally friendly method. This study has been mainly

focused on the impact of organic farming on the overall growth and yield of medicinal and

aromatic plant species.

Keywords:Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Organic Farming System, Organic fertilizers and

Pharmaceuticals.

INTRODUCTION

Human being has been dependent on medicinal and aromatic plants since from ancient time.

About three-quarters of the world’s population use medicinal and aromatic plantsfor their

health care. The indigenous systems of medicines developed in India make use of many

medicinal herbs. These systems include Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and many other

indigenous practices. Thousands of higher plants have been reported to be of high medicinal

value and constitute a major source of raw material for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and drug

industries. More than 9,000 native plants have established and recorded curative properties

and about 1500 species are known for their aroma and flavour (Nagar et al., 2017). The 80%

of the population of developing countries relies on traditional plant based medicines for their

health requirements (Annon, 2014). The medicinal and aromatic plants in health systemshave

a great significance and rising focus on solving the health care problems of the world. Present

research in drug innovation from medicinal plants involves a versatile approach combining

botanical, phytochemical, biological and molecular techniques (Sastry et al., 2015). A

number of medicinal plants also produce essential oils as well as being used for perfumery

(El-Hennawy, 2018). The decision on area allotted by a cultivator for a given crop or new

crop, is influenced by several factors about some of which the cultivator may have had little

or no knowledge when he first started its cultivation and once decided to cultivate the crop,

the decision on its cultivation under organic farming system is influenced by the experience

the cultivator, availability of resources and other complementary factors (Afaqet al., 2013).

Many cultivators of organic farming in medicinal and aromatic crops have known the

importance of cultivation of crop under organic condition and were well equipped to expand

its cultivation under organic system of production (Malik, 2014). So, Cultivars expect that the

decision about expanding the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants to under organic

conditions to the larger areas they need to follow the integrated farming system to meet out

the nutrients and other requirements under the organic farming system. With whatever little

experience the farmers have had with its cultivation, are willing to bring the still larger area

74

under the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants while the further the area under

organic cultivation of these crops has to increase (Malik, 2014). The global and sustainable

approach for the improvement in medicinal and aromatic plant quality is possible with the

establishment of the organic system of management of crops. Few studies have compared the

organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of medicinal plants has been done

(HoseinSartip et al., 2015). The application of organic manures on medicinal and aromatic

plants revealed the enhancement of yield and uptake of nutrients. However, the quality of the

essential oil did not influence them. Not only organic manures, biofertilizers (Azotobacter

and Azospirillum), arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria,

organic mulches, and crop rotations also play an important role for the enhancement of yield

and nutrients utilization. India’s medicinal plants export is of Rs.1500 crores worth and

essential oil amounts Rs 300 crores. Medicinal and aromatic plants grown organically have

an excellent global market and India can exploit this market to its advantage (Rao and Rajput,

2005).

MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

Whole plant or individual plant part such as root, stem, leaves, bark, flower, fruits, seeds, etc.

or the chemicals derived from these parts are used in a different system of medicines

(Allopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha, Unani, Folklore, etc.) to cure the disease are

known as medicinal plants. The utilization of medicinal plants is direct utilization in the form

of plant parts (root, stem, leaf, seed, and bark), powder, extracts, medicinal chemicals

(alkaloids, glycosides), and plant drugs.

Relationship between Organic Farming Systems and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants

The organic farming system emphasizes the use of organic matters for maintaining soil

health, growth, and multiplication of beneficial microbes and minimizing health hazards

associated with food. Medicinal and aromatic crops have a great requirement in modern

civilization to take out various natural products for human welfare. It's gained global

significance and is sought after by pharmaceutical companies and flavor and fragrance

industries all over the world. The physical and chemical properties (quality) of the compound

extracted from the organically grown medicinal and aromatic crop plants are superior as

compared to the traditional system. But designing an organic farming system to tie together

principles of sustainability and productivity is complex in these crops. Organic farmers must

consider how the various components of their system - rotations, pest and weed management,

and soil health - will maintain both productivity and profitability. Although practices vary

from farm to farm and region to region, at the core of any successful annual organic farming

system is the crop rotation. Enhance soil conservation and build soil organic matter, provide

weed, disease and insect control, enhance water quality and conservation, biological diversity

75

and wildlife habitat, and ensure economic profitability for the farming system. As the main

management tool for all aspects of the farming system - including weeds, pests, insects, soils,

and crop production - a well-planned rotation is more than the sum of its parts, addressing the

connections between all of those factors. Irrespective of the type of crops the concept of

organic agriculture builds on the idea of the efficient use of locally available resources as

well as the usage of adapted technologies (e.g. soil fertility management, the closing of

nutrient cycles as far as possible, control of pests and diseases through the management and

natural antagonists). It is a system-oriented approach for option for sustainable agricultural

growth and offer potential benefits namely greater yield stability in risk-prone tropical

ecosystems, higher yields, and incomes in traditional farming systems, once they are

improved and the adapted technologies are introduced, and improved soil fertility, the

restoration of degraded or abandoned land and long-term sustainability of farming systems, a

reduced dependence of farmers on external sources,strengthened self-confidence and

autonomy of farmers (Yaghoub R and Morteza A.M., 2014)

Effect of compost on medicinal plants

Composting is a biological process in which organic biodegradable wastes are converted into

the hygienic, humus-rich products (compost) for use as a soil conditioner and organic

fertilizer. These are also used to provide biological control against various plant pathogens.

Application of compost can increase soil structure, fertility, and consequently development

and productivity of medicinal plants. In chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), the effect of

chemical fertilizer and compost on soil productivity showed that all compost + liquid

compost treatments improved the flower head's growth characters i.e. fresh or dry weights of

flower heads and flower head diameter and essential oil contents.

Effect of Vermicomposting on medicinal plants yield and secondary metabolite

synthesis

Vermicompost contains most nutrients in plant-available forms such as nitrates, phosphates,

exchangeable calcium, and soluble potassium. Vermicompost has a large particulate surface

area that provides many microsites for the microbial activity and strong retention of nutrients.

It is rich in microbial population and diversity, particularly fungi, bacteria, and

actinomycetes. It contains plant growth regulators such as cytokinins and auxins. It has large

amounts of humic substances and affects the plant growth. As a result, most nutrients are

easily available such as; nitrates, phosphates, and exchangeable calcium and soluble

potassium which are responsible to increase the plant growth and crop yield. In sweet fennel,

the highest anethole content and the lowest contents of fenchone, limonene and estragole of

essential oil were obtained in a treatment contained vermicompost and application of

vermicompost favorably affects soil pH, microbial population and soil enzyme activities

76

which all of them can affect the increase in biosynthesis of Phenolic compounds in

strawberries and chamomile, herb yield of mint.

Effect of Bio-Fertilizers on Essential Oil and Yield of Medicinal and Aromatic

Plants(Yaghoub R and Morteza, 2014)

a) Mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial microorganisms considered as bio-fertilizer. It promotes the

establishment, growth, and health of plants. The improved productivity of Vesicular

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza plants was attributed to enhanced uptake of immobile nutrients such

as Phosphorus, Zinc, and Copper. The effects of the mycorrhizal association on the

concentration and composition of essential oil in coriander (Coriandrum sativum), showed

that VAM inoculation increased the concentration of the essential oil in seeds up to 48% and

caused improvement of essence quality, therefore the number of consequential components

like Geranial (20%) linalool (65%) significantly increased in mycorrhizal treatments in

comparison with non-inoculated control.

b) Bacterial biofertilizers

Some bacteria provide plants with growth-promoting substances and play a major role in

phosphate solubilizing. The soil is inoculated with bacterial mixtures caused more balanced

nutrition for plants and improved the root uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus in the main

mechanism of interaction between phosphate solubilizing and bacteria nitrogen-fixing. The

effect of some varieties of phosphate solubilizing bacteria on the yield of Lemon Grass and

noted that the plant height and biomass were increased, an improvement in germination

indexes such as percentage and speed of germination, viability, and also the length of roots

and stems of Ocimum sanctum and Withaniasomniferumtreated with Azospirillum and

Azotobacter bio-fertilizers, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, nitrogen fixation bacteria, and a

combination of these fertilizers.Azotobacter is able to produce antifungal compounds that

fight plant diseases and increase viability and germination of the plantlets and, as a result,

improve the overall plant growth

Intercropping of medicinal plants

The term “intercropping” refers to the special cropping system obtained by the simultaneous

growing of two or more species.An attempt to utilize some aromatic oil-bearing plants,

namely Artemisia annuaL., Coriandrum sativum L., Chamomilla recutitaRausch.,

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and AnethumsowaKurtz., as intercrops to manage aphid infestation

on mustard (Brassica junceaL.) was performed in India, who obtained the lowest aphid

population when mustard was intercropped with fennel, and the highest one when it was

cultivated in mixture with coriander. All mixed culture treatments in German chamomile and

saffron intercropping cultivation, had significantly higher land equivalent ratio than pure

77

saffron. Considering higher ratios of all mixed culture treatments, there was higher use

efficiency in mixed culture of these plants for soil and other inputs.

Conclusion

According to the effect of wide spread demand to use organic products as well as medicinal

and aromatic plants, as a suitable substitution of industrial agriculture products and synthetic

drugs, it is necessary to serious attention of organic cultivation of medicinal and aromatic

plants.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are thankful to Mr. Kuldip Kumar Sharma and Mrs. Chanchalla Sharma for their

guidance and constant support as well as for providing necessary information regarding the

research.

REFERENCES

1. Afaq, A.M., Ahmad, J., and Abdin, M.Z. (2013). Development of organic cultivation of

medicinal plants in the North India. De Gyster Open,59(4):97-107.

2. Anonymous. (2014). Traditional Medicine and Modern Health Care, Progress Report by

the Director General, World Health Organisation. Fifty Fourth World Health assembly,

54:1-11.

3. Arumugam, T., Doraipandian. A., Premalakshmi, V., and Vijayakumar, M. (2001).

Studies on the effect of biofertilizer on biomass production in senna (Cassia angustifolia

Vahl.) Changing scenario in the production systems of horticultural crops. In: Proc.

Natal. Sem. held at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, (28-30 August 2001). South Indian

Horticulture, 49:178-80.

4. El-Hennawy, H.M. (2018). Medicinal, aromatic and toxic plants in Arab countries. FAO

Document Repository, 7(2):2116-2119.

5. Malik, R. (2014). Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops as a means of

diversification of agriculture in India. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural

Sciences,27(1):20-25.

6. Mendez, V.E., Bacon, C.M., Olson, M., Petchers, S., and Herrador, D. (2010). Effects of

Fair Trade and organic certifications on small-scale coffee farmer households in Central

America and Mexico. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 25:236-251.

7. Nagar, R.K., Pandey, S.B.S., Vasishth, A. Chauhan, P.S.,andRanawat, J.S. (2017).

Economics of Aloe barbadensis cultivation Suitable for South East region of Rajasthan.

The Pharma Innovation Journal, 6(9):303-305.

8. Rajeswara Rao, B.R. and Rajput, D.K. (2005). Organic farming in medicinal and

aromatic plants. In: Compilation note of winter school on organic farming - A step

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towards Eco-farming for sustainable agriculture, July 4-24, 2005, held at Dept. Agron.,

College of Agri. ANGRAU, Hyderabad, India. 66-77.

9. Sartip,H.,Yadegari, H., and fakheri, B. (2015). Organic agriculture and production of

medicinal plants. International Journal of Farming and Allied Sciences,4(2):135-143.

10. Sastry, K.P., Kotesh, K.J., and Srinivas, K.S. (2015). Promotion of cultivation and

processing of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP’s) and phytochemical exploration of

MAP’s for future drug discovery, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants -

Research Center, Boduppal, Hyderabad-500039, AP, India. 3(5):76-79.

11. Watson, C.A., Walker, R.L., and Stockdale, E.A. (2008). Research in organic production

systems - past, present and future. Journal of Agricultural Science,146:1-19.

12. Yaghoub R and Morteza A.M. (2014). Organic cultivation of medicinal plants: a

review.Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences,4:6-14.

79




STUDIES ON CONSERVATION GENETICS OF TASAR SILKWORM

ANTHERAEA MYLITTA DRURY (LEPIDOPTERA: SATURNIIDAE)

ECORACES AVAILABLE IN THE STATE OF ODISHA USING DNA

MARKERS

PritiPragyan Ray and Pranati Pattnaik1

Shailabala Women’s (A) College, Cuttack

1M.P.C (A) College, Barpada


Abstract

Biological resources play a vital role in economic development of any country. Tasar

silk cocoons produced from Tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraeamylitta Drury (Lepidoptera:

Saturniidae) are one of the important forest produce of the country and tasar culture is an old

age tradition flourishing as a traditional and cultural heritage of tribes of India. Tasar culture

provides livelihood to poor tribal people and also earns foreign exchange for our country. It

has 56 reported ecoraces distributed along central, eastern, north- eastern and southern India

with varied phenotypic, physiological and behavioral characters. These wild ecoracesharbor

many beneficial genes and their alleles are developed through centuries by the process of

natural selection. Out of them, in the tribal dominated state of Odisha at least 8 ecoraces have

been reported till date. However, due to anthropogenic stresses like habitat destruction,

pollution, deforestation, mining, urbanization and other activities, there is pressure on the

survival of these ecoraces. This has resulted in drastic decline in wild tasar cocoon production

in the state of Odisha in particular. So, there is a crucial need to involve and educate local

tribals of the state on wild cocoon collection and insect conservation to save the ecoraces

from extinction. The tasar wild insect needs conservation both under short and long term

measures and on and off their habitat for the sustainable utility and socio-economic up-

liftment of rural tribals of the state. These ecoraces are very much important for

bioprospecting and biowealth management point of view, so maintenance and sustainable

management are need of the hour to protect and conserve the ecoraces for posterity. The

present paper reports the conservation need of this precious genetic resource using DNA

markers.

Keywords: Antheraeamylitta, ecoraces, anthropogenic stresses, conservation, technology package

80




LIFE CYCLE, COILING PATTERN, HISTOLOGICAL ALTERNATION

AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME OF SOIL DWELLING EARTHWORM

EXPOSED TO FURADAN

Puspanjali Parida and Nibedita Mohapatra

P.G. Department of Zoology, North Orissa Universiy, Baripada 757003 (Odisha), India


ABSTRACT

Earthworms are usually used as bioindicator of soil. In the present work the earthworm, E.

euginae was taken as model system. Eudrilus eugeniae (African night crawler) were kept in

plastic tray (30c.m x25c.m. x6.5c.m.) and were acclimatized for seven days in the laboratory

condition prior to the experiment. Each tray contains soil covered with net and moist gunny

cloths were used to maintain temperature and darkness. The soil in each tray were spiked with

15 mg of furadan dissolved in 1ml of acetone. Five to six number of earthworms were picked

up from each tray and their pooled weight was measured in digital monopan balance

(Shimadzu; ELB 300). A 10% homogenate was prepared in ice-cold 50 mM phosphate buffer

(pH 7.4) using pre-chilled porcelain mortar and pestle by up and down strokes at 4oC. The

homogenate was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for10 minutes at 4oC in Cooling Centrifuge (Remi).

The supernatant was taken for biochemical assay (superoxide dismutase and catalase). The

life cycle, coiling pattern and histological alteration are also studied in response furadan as

supporting evidence.

Keywords: Earthworms, Superoxide dismutase and Catalase, Life cycle, Coiling pattern and

Histological alteration

81




Application of Vermitechnology in Aquaculture : A Review

Rajlaxmi Mohanty, Department of Zoology, Govt. Womens College, Keonjhar

ABSTRACT

Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming makes critical contribution to development in areas

of food security, nutrition as well as employment. This field is extensively growing and now

it is very much essential to make this cost effective. Intensive aquaculture also generates

significant amounts of nutrient rich sludge which also represents a potential environmental

threat. So keeping in view the economical benefit and the growing concern for conservation

of energy, optimum but economical utilisation of available resource with simultaneous

pollution control measure has led to integrated farming system. The end products of

vermicomposting are a highly valued organic fertilizer and the mature worms can serve as

fish bait and fish food. Earthworms are considered as excellent bioreactors for waste

recycling. The direct use of organic wastes in aquatic bodies can be potentially hazardous as

they increase the BOD and also the chances of pathogen infection are higher. On the contrary

vermicomposting can convert these organic wastes into useful organic fertilizer without any

side effects. Vermicompost is also used as organic manure in agricultural fields. Aquaculture

in paddy fields is widely implemented. Silk worms also serve as a good protein supplement

for fish in aquaculture. Vermicomposting is thus an effective mode of waste management,

nutrient cycle and sustainable organic farming that leads to progressive approaches such as

agriculture-aquaculture-vermiculture farm or vermiculture-sericulture-carnivorous fish

culture.

Key words: aquafarming, cost effective, sludge, integrated farming, BOD, bioreactors.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Vermiculture products as food

Vermicompost as manure

Vermiculture products as bioreactors in processing Aquaculture sludge

Integrated agriculture-aquaculture-vermiculture farm as a holistic and synergistic approach

Vermiculture-sericulture-carnivorous fish culture

Conclusion

82

Reference

Introduction

A sustainable technology aims at minimal and effective utilisation of natural resources with

increasing profitability, productivity, improved quality of products with simultaneous

concern for pollution control. Water is emerging as an international challenge and its most

efficient management and recycling is of high priority. Aquaculture or aquafarming has

gained its momentum by providing food security, business opportunity and self employment

in rural areas. Establishing aquaculture as an economically more beneficial technology can

help small scale rural farmers who represent the greatest population in any developing

country. So keeping view all of this, an amalgamation of aquaculture with vermiculture and

agriculture can be a progressive approach towards a viable development in organic farming.

Apart from principal investment, aquaculture also includes operating expenses mainly

for seed, fertilizer, feed and labour. The cost of feed and fertilizer constitute about 70% of the

total operating expenses (Deolaiikar,1997). So to make aquaculture more cost effective it is

necessary to reduce the expenses by switching to alternative low cost more yielding feed and

fertilizer. Organic manuring is widely practiced in fish farming ponds; for high yield as well

as to reduce expenditure on costly feeds and fertilizers (Chakrabarty 1994; Gilloy 2003). But,

the direct use of organic wastes in aquaculture can be potentially hazardous as they increase

the BOD of the water body and also it increases the chances of pathogen transmission.

However, the use of vermicompost and vermiproducts (vermiwash, earthworm, cocoon etc)

can serve to be a low cost alternative for fish feed, bait, and manure and simultaneously it is

also free from any side effects.

Vermiculture products as food

Vermicompost can be utilised for consumption by fish as well as food for other fish food

organisms, thereby playing an important role in the aquatic food chain. Earthworm contain

many essential amino acids, along with haemoglobin in their blood serum which provides the

iron required for the development of fish (Chakrabarty et al. 2009 ). The worm tissue is about

60% protein, preponderance of long chain fatty acids, excellent range of vitamins, is rich in

Niacin and is an usual source of vitamin B12 (Edwards and Niederer 1988).

Vermicompost also provides desirable nutrients, minerals, vitamins etc for

phytoplanktons and zooplanktons growth (Chakrabarty 2009) which subsequent serve as food

for fishes in the aquabody. Vermiwash is reported to contain growth hormones, antibiotics

and vitamins (Atlavinyte & Daclulyte 1969; Lee 1985; Ismail 1997). Juvenile fishes are able

83

to take very small food particles present in vermiwash. It is also seen in a laboratory

experiment by Chakrabarty et al. (2009a) that probably these substances help the fish to

remain disease free.

Vermicompost as manure

Vermicompost as a fertilizer enhances the physio-chemical properties of water and pond

sediment (Kaur and Ansal 2010). According to Sujatha et al. (2003), earthworm casts contain

2-5 times more organic matter, total nitrogen and exchangeable cations than soil which

improves sediment quality. Ghosh 2004, utilized vermicomposting to provide earthworm

biomass and vermicast as organic fertilizer in cat fish (Clarias batracus) semi intensive

ponds (with a stocking rate of 15000 fish/ha) and obtained a mean individual weight gain of

1.64g/day. It was related to be due to increased primary production and improved water

retention capacity. Thus the technology of vermicomposting coupled with aquaculture

ensures improved use of feed with low operational cost and high yielding thereby, extending

optimum financial benefit to small scale and large scale aquaculturists.

Vermiculture products as bioreactors in processing Aquaculture sludge

Aquaculture by products includes fish manure, unused feed or fish processing wastes that can

be a prospective candidate imposing threat to the aquatic environment. Intensive aquaculture

waste can be effectively processed through vermicomposting. In initial trials at University of

Idaho, Rnyk et al. (1998a/1998b) attempted to evaluate the suitability of trout manure as a

feed stock for vermicomposting. The project suggested that vermicomposting can

beneficially recycle residues from aquaculture production. Some earthworm species that can

be effectively fed with biosolids from aquaculture of yellow perch (Perca flavenscens),

Tilapia (Oreochromis) are Eudrilus euginae, Eisenia hortensis, Perionyx excavatus,( Yeo and

Binkowski 2010).

The studies also indicated that earthworms do not tolerate fresh fish manure rather a

period of acclimation was necessary before the worms would grow and reproduce when fed

with aquaculture manure.

Integrated agriculture-aquaculture-vermiculture farm as a holistic and synergistic

approach:

The paddy fields form suitable aqua body where aquaculture can be practised, hence

supporting the expansion of sustainable food production on land and in water. Review

materials for aquaculture in paddy fields are at hand (Pullin and Shehadeh 1980; Jhingran

1997). In India, this paddy cum fish culture is practised in Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and

84

Assam. The interest in this practice has declined in the recent years due to use of pesticides.

Vermicomposting is an effective mode of waste management, nutrient cycle and sustainable

organic farming. So incorporating vermiculture into integrated agriculture-aquaculture

farming can be a harmonic approach providing an autonomous organic-agro-aqua ecosystem

based on partnership with nature. Such an integrated farming serves as a model for

sustainable food production as-

• There is use of organic vermicompost manure that has no side effects. Rather

it enriches the water holding capacity and physio-chemical properties of the

aquatic environment.

• The waste product of one biological system serves as nutrient for the other

biological systems. Efficient waste utilization leads to a balanced ecosystem

where there is no waste.

• Water is reused through biological filtration and recirculation.

• It is cost effective as it decreases the investment and increases the output.

In a vermicompost farm in Akshay Krishi Vikash, Mahisbaten, Nadia successfully yielded

agriculture and aquaculture using vermicompost as manure (Chakrabarty et al. 2007a). Large

scale vermicomposting is usually integrated in semi intensive fish farming to limit nutrients

from natural feeds ( Pucher et al.).

Vermiculture-sericulture-carnivorous fish culture

Mulberry plants are grown on and around pond dikes irrigated with pond water. Silk is

extracted from silkworms reared on mulberry leaves while, the remaining pupae (having very

high protein content are fed back to carnivorous fish. Sericulture can be made more

sustainable by recycling the sericulture farm wastes with the use of vermitechnology. Clarias

batracus(Linnaeus 1758; common name Magur) and Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch 1794;

common name Singhi) have been fed with earthworms and silkworm pupae prevented them

from cannibalism even in high stock density. Thus, such a practice of integrated farming

supports composite culture of carnivorous fishes.

Conclusion

The simple technology of vermicomposting can render fish feed to be an affordable and

easily available resource. As a result both small scale rural farmers and large scale farmers

overcome the fish feed related challenges derailing the aquaculture development and

ecological woes. With the growing population, the demand for food has incredibly increased

placing a significant pressure on the limited natural resources. To satisfy this need keeping in

85

view the concern for conservation of energy is the need of the hour. Thus, there is urgent

need to enhance the culture of earthworms representing as a suitable live fish feed, bait and

fish meal supplement. Extensive investigation in vermicomposting of fish manure especially

of fresh water fin fishes can certainly be advancement towards sustainable aquaculture that

can potentially increase the socio economic status of the society.

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Aquaculture Society Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, 20-22 pp

Rynk, Grabenstien RK, Hess TF(1998b). Fish Manure as a potential feed stock for

vermicomposting. Aquaculture’98 World Aquaculure Association. World

Aquaculture Society Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, 20-22 pp

Stafford EA, Tacon ACJ (1984a) Fish thrive on a diet of worms. Fish Farmer May, 18-19

Sujatha K, Mahalakshmi A, Shenbagarathai R (2003) Efeeect of Indigenous earthworms on

solid waste in:Deshmukh AM (Eds) Biotechnology in Agriculture Industry and

Environment Microbiology Society, Karad, pp 348-353

Yeo SE, Binkowski FP, Morris JE (2004) Aquaculture effluents and waste by products:

characteristics, potential recovery and beneficial reuse. Technical Bulletin 119, North

central Region Aquaculture Center, Ames, Iowa

Yeo SE, Binkowski FP (2010) Processing Aquaculture System Biosolids by Worm

Composting- Vermicomposting. NCRAC Technical Bulletin, North central Region

Aquaculture Center, Ames, Iowa

87




Organic agricultural practices and food production sustainability

Rukhsar Parveen1, Ankita2, Anamika Rana3 and Manjusha Tyagi1*




Keywords- Organic farming. crop, biofertilizer, organic manure

ABSTRACT

Organic farming today materialize as an important priority area globally in view of growing

demand for healthy and nutritious food and long term sustainability and also covers the

environmental pollution associated with indiscriminate use of agrochemicals. To achieve the

demands there are opportunities in selected crops and niche areas where organic production

can be encouraged to fix the domestic export market. Environmental degradation and

competition for resources integrate agricultural practices into international economy

threatening the sustainability of food production system. United Nations defined food

security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient,

safe and nutritious food to meet dietary needs and healthy life. Delivering food security, one

must also reduce the environmental impact of food production. Use of organic manures,

natural nutrients or bio-fertilizers as a source of nutrients to enhance the crop productivity can

tremendously show the potential to grow crops organically and emerge as a major supplier of

organic products in world organic market.


88




Vermicompost and its Impact on Growth of Green gram Seedlings

*1Sagarika Parida, 2Dushmanta Sabara

School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha,

India

Department of Botany, Adivasi College, Baliguda, Kandhamal, Odisha

*Corresponding author email ID: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the growth of green gram seedling in different proportion

of vermicompost and soil. Decomposition of different types of organic waste like garden

waste and kitchen slurry waste derived from the biogas plant was also studied. The result

reveals that vermicomposting of garden waste and recovered slurry of biogas plant based on

organic kitchen waste is a suitable technology for decomposition into a value added material

which enhances the crop growth. All the growth attributes was found to be maximum in

plants grown in the pot containing soil and vermicompost made from slurry of biogas plant in

ratio of 2:1 followed by soil: vermicompost 1: 1 and 3:1 than the vermicompost obtained

from garden waste as well as control pots containing only soil as medium. Highest plant

height of 28.63cm was recorded in plants from the pot with 2:1 soil: vermicompost (obtained

from slurry of biogas plant) ratio.

Keywords: Biogas slurry, earthworm, plant debris, plant growth, vermicompost

Introduction

Vermicompost is enriched with higher levels of major as well as minor nutrients in

available from like enzymes, vitamins and growth hormones to the plants. Productivity of

soil is getting reduced because of extensive use of chemical fertilizer and improper irrigation.

Therefore organic farming is given importance and it depends upon two objectives of

sustainability system and environmental sensitivity. Vermi-technology is the process of

conversion of biodegradable waste to nutrient rich vermin compost by using different species

of earthworm. A few earthworm species are suitable for vermin-composting out of 4,400

species with other soil organism [1]. Vermi-compost contains nitrates, phosphates, soluble

potassium, and magnesium and exchangeable phosphorus and calcium [2]. Data revealed that

vermin-compost stimulates plant growth even when the plants are subjected to optimal


89

nutrition. It was also reported that use of vermin-compost enhanced seed germination, growth

of the seedling, and productivity of plants. It was reported that by 10-40% vermicompost in

growing medium resulted in maximum benefit. Growth responses of plants from

vermicompost appeared more by hormone induced activity with association of high levels of

humic acid and humates present in vermicompost than available plant nutrients [3]. It was

also revealed that humic acids enhances nutrient uptake by the plants by increasing the

permeability of root cell membrane and increase in proliferation of root hairs [4]. Different

organic wastes from homes, parks, sewage sludge from municipal waste and other waste

organic products (Table 1) are used to produce vermicompost by earthworms [5, 6]. Data

showed that fly ash rich in nitrogen obtained from coal power plant can be composted by

earthworm [7].

Table 1: Organic wastes used for composting

Serial No. Organic wastes Types of organic wastes

1. Animal dung Cattle dung, sheep dung, pig dung, horse dung, poultry

droppings

2. Agricultural waste After harvesting plant remains and threshing of the produce

3. Forestry waste Saw dust, wood sawing, wood peels, pulp

4. City Leaf Litter mango, guava, oranges etc., from residential areas

5. Food Wastes Waste food including kitchen wastes

6. Other Wastes paper and cotton clothes

Vermicompost are proven miracle plant growth promoter and superior than

conventional compost and chemical fertilizer [6]. Keeping in view about the importance of

vermicompost in sustainable agriculture an effort has been made to study the effect of

vermicompost in relation to crop growth of Vigna radiata L.

Material and Methods

Experiments were conducted during this work were briefly enumerated in the

following headings.

Collection and Identification of Earthworm

Known earthworm species were collected from department of Zoology, Utkal

University and verified for its identification from Department of Nematology, OUAT,

Bhubaneswar (Table 2).

Table2. Earthworms species used for vermicomposting

Serial No. Species Origin Habitat of Earthworms species

1 Eisenia fetida Exotic sewage wastes, nearby kitchen waste

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tanks

2 Eudrilus eugeniae. Exotic nearby kitchen waste tanks

3 Perionyx excavates Endemic compost, peat, and nearby sewage tanks

4 Lampito mauritii Endemic Garden soil, field etc.

Vermicomposting

Vermitechnology involves three components, (i) Vermiculture, (ii) Vermicomposting

and (iii) Utilisation of products like vermiprotein and vermifertiliser (Dash et al., 1985). As

per Dash and Dash (2009), the rearing of earthworm is performed in waste earthen pot with

soil and dry cow dung. Earthworm could be suitable cultured in 50×25×15 cm size wooden

box. Considering the total volume of the box, 1/4th is to be filled with soil, 1/4th with saw

dust or rice bran above the soil layer, 1/4th with dry cow dung above the saw dust and rest

1/4th to be left as empty space. To this vermibed, 100 adult worms could be inoculated.

Moisture of soil with a range from 40 to 50 percent and a temperature of around 20-25°C was

found to be very suitable. Weekly turning over and quarterly change of organic material was

done for continual growth.

Collection of Organic Waste

During this work, slurry from biogas plant was collected from KISS campus, where

kitchen waste was utilized for production of biogas. Leaves and other plant parts from the

garden were also collected from the institutional area of Kalinga Institute of Social

Sciences(KISS), Bhubaneswar, for vermicomposting. Organic waste and slurry from biogas

plant were added separately to the vermibeds for composting. After the compost is ready, the

compost was heaped in shade with sufficient light and then the earthworms will move to the

bottom of the heap and from the top of the heap compost was removed and undecomposed

residues were put again in the pit for further composting.

Raising of Green gram seedlings

Four earthen pots of similar sizes were taken and were filled with soil; soil and

compost; soil and vermicompost prepared from garden waste in different proportion; and soil

and vermicompost obtained from slurry of kitchen waste based biogas plant in different

proportion separately. Green gram seeds were sown on these pots and water was sprinkled

regularly for germination. The growth of the seedlings was measured at weekly regular

interval separately. The experiments were done in three replication for getting accurate result.

91

Results and Discussion

It was shown from the study that vermicompost enhanced seedling growth, average

leaf area, number of pods and grains per plant. The soil containing vermicompost in a ratio of

2: 1 was found to be better in comparision to soil applied with cow dung compost.

Table 3. Effects of Vermicompost in different proportion on growth of Vigna radiata L.

seedlings

Treatment Treatment

No.

Proprtion (soil:

Vermicompost)

Average Plant

height (cm)

Avg. Leaf

area index

No. of

pods/plant

No. of

grains/pod

Garden soil (Control) T1 Only soil 23.59 0.33 8.7 4.3

Garden soil + Cow dung

compost

T2 2:1 25.23 0. 41 10. 4 5.2

Garden soil +

vermicompost (obtained

from garden waste)

T3 2:1 26.89 0.43 12. 6 6.3

Garden soil +


from garden waste)

T4 3:1 25.76 0.43 12. 4 6.1

Garden soil +


from garden waste)

T5 1:1 25. 34 0.42 11. 2 5.8

Garden soil +


from slurry of biogas plant)

T6 2:1 28.63 0.45 13. 3 6.6

Garden soil +


from slurry of biogas plant

T7 3:1 27.37 0.44 12.7 6.4

Garden soil +


from slurry of biogas plant

T8 1:1 26.89 0.42 12. 5 6.1

(Fig. 1: Impact of vermicompost in growth of green Gram seedlings)

92

It was revealed from Table 3. that the growth of the plants was maximum in both the

soil containing vermicompost as well as vermicompost and cowdung compost. In this study

the plant growth attributes like height, number of root nodules per plant and number of grains

per plant, and seed yield of green gram was observed. All the growth attributes was found to

be maximum in plants grown in the pot containing soil and vermicompost made from slurry

of biogas plant in ratio of 2:1 followed by soil: vermicompost 1: 1 and 3:1 than the

vermicompost obtained from garden waste as well as control pots containing only soil as

medium. Highest plant height of 28.63cm was recorded in plants from the pot with 2:1 soil:

vermicompost (obtained from slurry of biogas plant) ratio. Least growth was recorded in

plants grown in pot containing only soil with 23.59cm. This study coincides with the study

reported by researchers that plant height and productivity is much more than the chemical

fertilizer and 10 to 40% vermicompost in the soil would be more beneficial in terms of

growth and productivity [8]. It was demonstration that the growth of ornamental plants after

the application of aqueous extracts from vermicompost showed enhanced growth in

ornamental plants [9, 10].

Conclusion

It was found from the above study, vermicomposts induces increase in height of the

plant , leaf area index, pods per plant and seeds per pod. The kitchen waste slurry from

biogas plant was proved to be better in inducing plant growth than the vermicompost

prepared from garden organic waste. The effect of vermicompost is not due to its only

mineral composition rather depend on its growth regulating component like growth hormones

and humic acids. Earthworm are the Ecosystem Engineer responsible for conversion of

negative economic and environmental value viz. the waste to highly nutritive organic

fertilizer which is known as brown gold and safe gold or green gold. This compost can

replace the agrochemicals and organic crops can be produced in large scale because of its

multiple benefits for sustainable agriculture.

Future Research Endeavors

The richness of earthworm fauna should be studied in Odisha and earthworm species

can be identified for effective conversation of organic waste into vermicompost. Earthworm

species is known to have tolerance capability to moisture content, and high temperature to be

identified for conversion of urban solid waste. The species that can withstand heavy metals

can also be identified to be used on organic waste from industries. Vermicompost

93

standardization has to be studied in relation with different biomass and animal waste to get

high nutrient rich compost.

References

[1] Verma, D., Bharti,S., Yadav, S., 2010. Earthworm resources in Gangetic plains of India

International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation 2: 134-139. Visvanathan, et al.

2005. Vermicomposting as an Eco-tool in Sustainable Solid Waste Management, Asian

Institute of Technology, Anna University, India.

[2] Edwards, C.A., J. Domínguez and N.Q. Arancon, 2004.The influence of vermicomposts

on plant growth and pest incidence.In Shakir, S.H. and W.Z.A. Mikhail (Eds.). Soil Zoology

for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century, Self- Publisher; Cairo, Egypt, pp: 397-420.

[3] Atiyeh, R.M., C.A. Lee Edward, N.Q. Arancon and J.D. Metzger, (2002). The influence of

humic acids derived from earthworm-processed organic wastes on plant growth; Bioresource.

Technology, 84:7-14.

[4] Pramanik, P., G.K. Ghosh, P.K. Ghosal and P. Banik, 2007. Changes in organic-C, N,

P and K and enzyme activities in vermicompost of biodegradable organic wastes under

liming and microbial inoculants. J. of Bioresource Technology, 98: 2485-2494.

[5] Kaviraj, Sharma, 2003. Municipal solid waste management through vermicomposting

employing exotic and local species of earthworms. J. of Bioresource Technology, 90: 169-

173.

[6] Sinha, Rajiv K., Sunil Herat, Gokul Bharambe, Swapnil Patil, P.D. Bapat, Kunal Chauhan

and Dalsukh Valani, 2009. Vermiculture Biotechnology: The Emerging Cost-effective and

Sustainable Technology of the 21st Century for Multiple Uses from Waste and Land

Management to Safe and Sustained Food Production, Environmental Research Journal,

NOVA Science Publishers, NY, USA, Invited Paper, Vol: 3 (2/3).

[7] Saxena, M., A. Chauhan and P. Asokan, 1998.Flyash Vemicompost from Nonfriendly

Organic Wastes. Pollution Research, 17 (1): 5-11.

[8] Arancon, N.Q., C.I. Edwards and P. Bierman, (2006). Influences of vermicomposts on

field strawberries-2: Effects on soil microbiological and chemical properties. Bioresource

Technology. 97: 831-840.

[9]Tomati, V., A. Grappelli and E. Galli, 1987.The Presence of Growth Regulators in

Earthworm-Worked Wastes. In Proceeding of International Symposium on ‘Earthworms’;

Italy; 31 March-5 April, 1985; pp: 423-436.

[10] Tomati, V., A. Grappelli and E. Galli, 1988.The Hormone like Effect of Earthworm

Casts on Plant Growth. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 5: 288-294.

94




Socio- Economic Prospect of Eri silk worm and vermicomposting in

Western Odisha.

Sandhyarani Kuanr, Anchal College , Padampur, Sambalpur University, Odisha

ABSTRACT

Odisha state is situated in between 17°49' and 23° 34' N latitude and between 81° 23' to 87° 29'

E longitudes on the eastern coast of India. Major crops are paddy, wheat, maize, ragi and sugar

cane. Forest constitutes about 37 % of the total area and is rich in food plants. Initially Eri

culture started 50 years ago in Puri, Cuttack, and Ganjam, later extended to tribal districts of

Sundargarh, Phulbani and Koraput. However the entire western odisha has the requisites for

silk production and can be a better place for its production. This part of Odisha consists of 10

districts Bolangir, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Sonpur. These area needs

very little technical knowledge and input. The primary food for Eri silkworm (Samia ricini) is

caster leaves (Ricinus Communis). Caster plants can be easily propagated in arid soil and rains

fed areas and are available plenty. The people living below poverty line, unemployed youth

and women can earn and supplement their livelihood through Eri culture, which will improve

their economic condition and life style be generating additional income for the family. Growth

of Eri culture IX plan period (1997-2002) 223 farmers reared 1.182 lakh of dfls and Produced

4.185 MT of cocoon from which 2.376MT of spun silk was obtained. During Xth plan period

(2002-07) Eri plantation area went up to 921 acres covering 1090 beneficiaries. During this

period a total of 1.4702 lakh dfls were reared and 8.169 MT of cocoons production from which

5.660 MT of spun silk was obtained. It provides gainful employment for the tribal’s,

economically weakers sections and unemployed persons ensuring a sure sort return with less

capital investments. Vermicomposting process indicates that it increases macrospore space

ranging from 50 to 500 μm, resulting in improved air-water relationship in the soil which

favorably affects plant growth. The application of organic matter including vermicompost

favorably affects soil pH, microbial population and soil enzyme activities. It also reduces the

proportion of water-soluble chemical species, which cause possible environmental

contamination. By using these method farmers improves their socio economic status of

adopting both plantation of the food plants and Eri culture in large scale.

Key words- Caster, Eri, Vermicomposting, microbial population, soil enzyme.

95




Effect of metallic ions, pH, moisture content of host plant leaves on silk

formation in tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury: A review

Sasmita Panda*, Prasanta Kumar Kar1 and Pramod Kumar Satapathy2

*Department of Chemistry, K.K.S. Women’s College, Balasore, 1Regional Sericultural Research Station, central Silk Board, Baripada, 757001,

2Department of Chemistry, North Orissa University, Takatpur, Baripada, 757001


ABSTRACT

Sericulture is the term associated with silk industry which involves rearing of

silkworm using advanced scientific and technological knowledge to enhance silk

productivity. Tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury is one of the important Vanya

silkworms thatproduces commercially important silk. This silkworm is polyphagous in

nature, inhabits in Sal forests and also reared on its primary host plantsviz.Terminalia

tomentosa (Asan) and T. arjuna (Arjun). Leaf nutrients have direct bearing on the quality as

well as quantity of silk. Tasar silkworm converts concentrated fibroin and sericin solutions to

insoluble silk fiber and adhesive gum respectively, through silk ducts instantly before the silk

is drawn down into filament.Silk fibers possess dramatic mechanical properties and are partly

dependent on the crystalline β-sheet silk conformation under shear or rapid elongation flow.

The protein conformation to β-sheet is dependent on several factors such as concentration of

metal ions in the soil and host plant leaves (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+), pH of the soil besides

the moisture content in the soil aswell as leaves. In this paper we present adetailed review on

the impact of metallic ion, pH and moisture content of host plant leaves in relation to silk

production and productivityof tasar silkworm.

Key words:Antheraea mylitta, host plant, metallic ions, moisture content, tasar silkworm,

soil

96




Vermicomposting : An alternative to organic biowaste disposal techniques

Dr Satya Narayan Sahoo, Head, Department of Zoology, Niali College, Niali,

Cuttack-754001

Abstract

Growth in population , urbanization and industrialization result in intensification of

agriculture and food production. These are the factors which results in considerably increase

to solid waste generation in recent times. Studies reveal that, over one billion tones of solid

wastes are generated annually and are ending up unscientifically in the environment,

producing social, economic, and environmental costs. For the disposal of burgeoning solid

waste, two techniques such as land filling and incineration are used. Researchers across the

world are searching for new, innovative, and eco-friendly technologies for waste

management. Biological methods are more suitable for waste treatment than any other

methods .This method recycle the various constituents of waste into valuable end products,

less or no side effects and can be cost-effective. But Non-toxic fraction of the solid wastes

can be used as feedstock for various biological processes to recover or produce value-added

products from solid wastes. Such biological processes include biomethanation, composting

and vermicomposting. Among these, vermicomposting has been reported as a practicable,

economical and swift technique for proficient management of the solid wastes by the farmers.

Worm compost (also known as vermicompost, from “vermis”, the Latin for “worm”) is an

especially high-grade and nutrient-rich fertiliser. This black substrate is what remains of

organic matter after being broken down by micro-organisms, and especially by worms. The

term vermicomposting means the use of earthworms for composting organic residues. In this

process microbes assist earthworms in waste degradation and the earthworms convert

compostable fraction of the solid wastes into stabilized, finely divided peat-like material

called vermicompost. that can be used as manure in agricultural fields to improve soil health.

Compared to the usual compost, vermicomposting product has higher contents of plant-

available nutrients and much more diverse agricultural and aquacultural probiotics .

Furthermore, vermicomposting also helps to achieve a circular bioeconomy by converting

waste into useful products that are necessary for the overall sustainable development of a

country. Different waste residues like animal excreta, agricultural residues, domestic waste,

sewage sludge, industrial wastes etc. have been used as earthworm feedstock in various

97

research trials. Earthworms can consume practically all kinds of organic matter .The excreta

(castings) of the worms are rich in nitrate, available forms of P, K, Ca and Mg. The passage

of soil through earthworms promotes the growth of bacteria and actinomycetes.

Actinomycetes thrive in the presence of worms .Studies revels that content in worm casts is

more than six times that in the original soil Vermicompost production using epigeic compost

worms such as Eisenia foetida, Lumbricus rubellus and Eudrilus eugeniae can be enhanced

effectively by supplementing the organic wastes used for vermicomposting with cow urine .

Undiluted urine can be used for moistening organic wastes during the preliminary

composting period (before the addition of worms.). After the initiation of worm activity,

urine can be diluted with an equal quantity of water. No problems have been observed with

daily use of diluted cow urine for moistening the vermicomposting bed. This simple

technique can yield vermicompost with a higher N content. Moreover, worms have been

found to become very active and vermicompost can be harvested at least 10 days early. Solid

wastes, vermicomposting process, various feed stocks, vermicompost quality etc. have been

given emphasize in detail during the study.

(Key words: Organic wastes,vermicomposting,Wastemanagement)

98




Vermicompost as fish feed and fish manure

Smruti Snigdha Panda, Jr. Lecturer – Inland Fishery, GVHSS ,Rasalapur, Balasore

Abstract

Indian fishery is increasingly contributing to the nutritional security of the country, with the

present production of fish and shell fish from capture fisheries and aquaculture being around

eight million tons. The country also has an important role in global fisheries as the second

largest production of fish in the world.

Natural productivity of fish culture depends largely on the availability of the natural food

organisms on the favorable environmental condition and on the optimum doses of fertilizers.

In India additional production can only be achieved through successful manipulation of

available resources that influence productivity of various aquaculture systems. The purpose

of pond manuring is primarily to provide adequate amount of nutrients for phytoplankton

production (Jhingran-1997). Nitrogen , phosphorous and potassium are major nutrients

required by phytoplankton inorganic fertilizer can be applied to provide these nutrients cow

dung is the most widely used organic manure in many areas . The appropriate doses give the

fish pond good production. However the indiscriminant use of the manures in fish pond may

cause to pollution. Therefore always know the standard doses of those manures which would

keep the physiochemical parameters of pond water in favorable range required for survival

growth of fishes.

Applied vermicompost as manure in fish farming pond it contains all the major nutrients. It

keeps the parameters favorable ranges as well as maximizing the production of Indian carps.

it suppress the growth of the pathogenic microorganisms . Vermicompost is safe than cow

dung in terms of toxicity to the pond. It also used as artificial fish feed. Preparation of fish

feed using vermitechnology . Organic pisciculture system which avoids organic waste

,feasibility study should be made on consortium of earthworm for effective and uniform

vermicomposting in different season throughout the year.

Organic manures if not decomposed completely before applying in aquaculture, may

deteriorate the water quality as they utilize oxygen during decomposition among the

99

decomposed manure. Vermicompost is rich in all types of major and minor nutrients,

vitamins, enzymes, antibiotics and growth promoters.

Introduction:-

Indian fishery is increasingly contributing to the nutritional security of the country, with the

present production of fish and shell fish from capture fisheries and aquaculture being around

eight million tons. The country also has an important role in global fisheries as the second

largest production of fish in the world. The freshwater finfish have very high potential as

protein food and are among the increasing number of aquatic animals that have been coming

to the as candidate species for aqua culture (Jhingran - 1997). The protein obtained from fish

is palatable easily digestible and suitable for all human age group.Natural productivity of fish

culture depends largely on the availability of the natural food organisms on the favorable

environmental condition and on the optimum doses of fertilizers. In India additional

production can only be achieved through successful manipulation of available resources that

influence productivity of various aquaculture systems.

Vermicompost as Manure in Fish pond:-

The purpose of pond manuring is primarily to provide adequate amount of nutrients for

phytoplankton production (Jhingran-1997). Wide verity of organic manures such as grass,

leaf , sewage water have been used to improve fish production , although organic fertilizers

can be utilized as food for invertebrate fish food organisms and fish. They primarily release

inorganic nutrients for phytoplankton and zooplankton growth.Nitrogen , phosphorous and

potassium are major nutrients required by phytoplankton inorganic fertilizer can be applied to

provide these nutrients cow dung is the most widely used organic manure in many areas . The

appropriate doses give the fish pond good production. However the indiscriminant use of the

manures in fish pond may cause to pollution. Therefore always know the standard doses of

those manures which would keep the physiochemical parameters of pond water in favorable

range required for survival growth of fishes.Appliedvermicompost as manure in fish farming

pond it contains all the major nutrients. It keeps the parameters favorable ranges as well as

maximizing the production of Indian carps. it suppress the growth of the pathogenic

microorganisms . Vermicompost is safe than cow dung in terms of toxicity to the pond.

The most commonly used eartworm species in vermicompost are Eisenaifeotida and E.Andrei

(Dominguez and Edwards 2010)

Vermicompost as fish feed:-

100

It also used as artificial fish feed. The production of fish in ponds may be increased greately

supplementing the natural food, with some artificial food. Vermicomost is naturally devoured

by fish and contains high amount of bacterial mass , which is a good source of protein and the

rest material gets dissolved in water and serves as nutrient for water body (Chakrabarty et al

2007).

Vermiwash can serve as excellent direct application feed for juvenile fish .The juvenile fish

are able to take very small food particles present in vermiwash. The common food particles

like plankton feed or market available feed pallet are much higher size for juvenile fish

.Vermiwash contains major and micro nutrients along with cocoons ,small worms ,debris of

body parts mainly in edible forms .

Organic pisciculture system which avoids organic waste,feasibility study should be made on

consortium of earthworm for effective and uniform vermicomposting in different season

throughout the year.

Conclusion:-

Organic manures if not decomposed completely before applying in aquaculture, may

deteriorate the water quality as they utilize oxygen during decomposition among the

decomposed manure. Whereas Vermicompost is rich in all types of major and minor

nutrients, vitamins, enzymes, antibiotics and growth promoters. So It has the potential to act

as an economic incentive to improve manure management depending on the amount of

manure in urban centers with a high prevalence of animals. It can also be applied for

treatment of sewage. Because of its biological and economic attributes several published

studies have reviewed the potential of red earthworms as a replacement for fishmeal. Red

earthworm meal can efficiently and sustainably replace a number of conventional animal and

plant protein sources, while supporting fish growth. More research is needed to achieve the

commercial production of red earthworm meal to formulate low cost practical and

environmental friendly nutritional feeds for sustainable farming of various species.

Reference:

✓ Handbook of Fisheries And Aquaculture , by ICAR

✓ Fundamental of Ecology , by M C Dash

✓ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture

✓ A Textbook of Fishery Science, CBL Srivastava ,

✓ Fishing chimes journal

101




Organic Farming and Microbial Diversity

Sujata Mahapatra, Associate Professor in Botany, Rama Devi Women’s

University, Bhubaneswar.Email :[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Organic farms are natural agro-ecosystems. Productivity of these ecosystems is dependent on

different types of interactions, resource management and soil dynamics of a specified area. In

addition to the above parameters adaptabilty of species and their genetic diversity is

important for sustainability of these systems. Organic farms are exposed to large variations in

climatic and soil conditions over time. Each organic farm is under a specific microclimate

and its productivity Is controlled by this. In this type of farm soil conditions are stable and

enriched with soil microbiota as there is no application ofagrochemicals.

Soil environment is complex and there are several types of interactions of microbes.

Soil structure of conventional agro- ecosystem and organic farms display different microbial

profiles. Application of different agro-chemicals destroys the soil health and reduces the soil

nutrients. So mostly oligotrophic microbes grow in these soils. Soil in organic farms has

microbes, mostly fungi which degrade organic compounds in biofertilizers. Microbial

composition of soil is very significant for nutrient mobilization and its subsequent uptake. It

is one of the factors which regulates productivity in agro-ecosystems.

Key words: organic farming, soil microbiota, productivity.

Introduction

Hunger and food shortage due to rising population is a big problem

In developing and under developed countries. Due to this, agriculture sector is under

tremendous pressure. Low- input agriculture or organic farming has long term benefits for

environment and all organisms including human beings. Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and

geneticallymodified organisms are not a part of organic farming. This system of cultivation

uses bio-fertilizers and biocontrol agents like predator microbes.Thus 100% organic farm

produce is free from residues ofsynthetic agrochemicals.

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Soil and microbiome

Physical properties, Chemical properties and composition of soil is decided by the parent

rock, process of soil formation and its interaction with different biotic and abiotic factors.

Top two horizonsof the soil which may includerhizosphere is rich in organic matter

andprovides habitat for a diverse group of microbes. Mycorrhizae, endophytic fungi,

actinomycetes and bacteria associated with nitrogen cycle are microbial groups associated

with soil. Many of these organismsbreakdown complex organic and inorganic matters and

play significantrole in mineralization and nutrient uptake by plants.

Lupatiniet.al(2017) reported theeffect of organic farming on microbial community structure

and microbialDiversity. Increased heterogeneity of soil microbes is observed instudies by

many workers. Soil in organic farms is rich in organic carbon

and nitrogen. This promotes the growth of oligo-heterotrophic microbes which degrade

organic carbon compounds. However increased microbial biomass and their activity is linked

to amount

and composition of applied biofertilizer(Birkhoferet.al 2008).

Some methods used study of soil microbial diversity

In addition to preliminary methods like study of colony characteristics

molecular methods mentioned below can be used to study diversity

of soil microbes.

1. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

2. Temperature gradient gel electrophoresis

3. Stable isotope probing

4. Terminal restriction length polymorphism

5. RAPD

6. FISH

7. 16 S r RNA sequencing

8. Nucleic acid hybridization

9. DNA Finger printing

Conclusion

The study of microbial taxonomy in organic farm soil is important for management and

improvements of these agro-ecosystems. Limitation lies in the wide variations of

103

management practices in different farms. Each farm is governed by its own microclimate and

has its own identity. So studying microbial diversity in these farm is a huge task.

Nevertheless,it is required to understand changing microbiomes and detect soil contamination

over long periods of organic farming.

Reference:

1.Manoeli Lupatini, Gerard W. Korthals, Mattias de Hollander, Thierry K. S.

Janssens and Eiko E. KuramaeSoil Microbiome Is More Heterogeneous in Organic

Than in Conventional Farming System.Front. Microbiol., 04 January 2017

|https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.02064

2.Birkhofer K, Bezemer TM, Bloem J, Bonkowski M, Christensen Sr, Dubois D, et al.

Long-term organic farming fosters below and aboveground biota: implications for soil

quality, biological control and productivity. Soil Biol Biochem. 2008;40:2297–2308.

[Google Scholar]

http://www.frontiersin.org/people/u/400029




https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.02064

104




Conversion of Inorganic Wastes (Fly Ash) into Organic Manure for

Sustainable Crop Production by Using Vermitechnology

SunitaSatapathy

Departmnt of Zoology, Centurion University of Technology and Management,

Odisha, India

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Industrial wastes release to atmosphere critically cause serious environmental issues and

health hazards. Fly Ash (FA) is an industrial by-product considered as a global pollutant due

to its hazardous nature. FA is generated from the combustion of pulverized coal in the

thermal power plants to full fill the demand of electricity for the modern scenario. Likewise

industrial waste FA is produced in large quantities approximately 180mt from power

generated plants in India and near about 25 mt of FA generated from different power plants

of Odisha.This present investigationis focused on the bio technique process

vermicompostingby the action of Eudrillus eugeniae for safe utilization of fly ash.FA is being

used in different sectorsfor recycling but vermitechnology is also a promising technology

used to convert heavy metals of it into organic manure by implementing biological method.

The present work has been carried out in the Department of Zoology, Centurion University of

Technology & Management. The experimental setup for vermicomposting is designed by

taking various proportion of FA such as 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%,and 100% along with soil and

cowdung for precomposting and treated with introducing Earthworm (EW)Eudrillus

eugeniae. Regular monitoring of sprinkling water and nourishing with slurry to each

proportionis conducted for maintaining proper nutrition for the species to enhanceits

biological activity. The biological activity of EW is observed and recorded with respect to its

survivability, growth of EW, population rate and production of end product vermicasts as a

metabolic indicator. The physico-chemical parameters (Electro-conductivity, moisture

content, temperature and pH) of precomposting and vermicomposting mixture are measured.

The treated 40% container has shown more favourable result for production of vermicasts as

organic manure compared to others whereas 20% and 60% also produced an approximate

result with 40%.The completion of vermicomposting for the current study upto obtained

vermicasts is within 80-90 days and the sustainable crop production practices with

biochemical analysis to be carried out in future studies.

Keywords:Fly Ash (FA),Eudrilus eugeniae,Vermicomposting,Vermicasts,

Earthworm(EW),Organic manure.

105




APPLICATION OF VERMITECHNOLOGY IN AQUACULTURE

*Suprava Bisoyi

ABSTRACT

Organic aquaculture is a production system which avoids the use of synthetic

fertilizers,pesticides, growth regulators and feed additives encouraging the concept of natural

farming. The high product cost of synthetic materials needed for aquaculture discourages the

farmer especially small farmers and rural communities which lead to the concept of

composite organic farming which is cheaper and high yielding. Vermitechnology enhance the

utilisation of earthworm as live fish food, bait and fishmeal supplement. Vermiproducts like

vermiwash, cocoon etc. contain essential amino acids which is very nutritious for the

developing fish. So, the application of vermitechnology is required for the development of

organic aquaculture.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

INTEGRATED VERMICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE IN FARMING

• Vermicompost as feed and fertiliser.

• Use of artificial fish feed.

• Preparation of fishfeed using vermitechnology.

• Earthworm management in vermicomposting.

CONCLUSIONS

REFERENCE

Introduction

The protein obtained from fish is palatable, easily digestible and suitable for human of all age

groups.Among all fishes the fresh water finfish is most preferred for high protein content.

The return from aquaculture is 2 to 5 times higher than traditional agriculture.In aquaculture

70% of the investment includes the cost of feed and fertiliser.So to make aquaculture more

economical for the small farmers and rural communities finding alternative cheap sources for

feed and fertiliser is necessary. The most vital challenge of the day is to produce more food

106

with least utilisation of energy and resources along with energy conservation and pollution

control measures.This leads to development of integrated farming systems.

Land spreading is the common treatment followed for solid waste treatment leading to

contamination of soil, vegetation , ground and surface water along with scarcity of land for

this treatment.Vermicomposting is a development of Biotechnology used for solid waste

treatment nowadays.Vermicomposting is the process of harnessing of earthworms for the

stabilisation of a variety of organic wastes and is an important aspect of Earthworm

Biotechnology at present.(Ghosh 2004,Singh 2004).Earthworms are excellent bioreactors for

waste recycling. Vermicomposting is particularly useful for the management of waste from

agriculture, city garbage, livestock, sewage and organic waste etc.

Integrated Vermiculture and Aquaculture farming

A composite agriculture-aquaculture-vermiculture farm can be entirely synergistic.The

aquatic body where aqua farming is practised can be a part receptacle of animal excreta both

solid and liquid,silkworm pupae, earthworm remains and human food grain productswhich

can form fish feed of first rate quality.The water of the reservoir can be used for irrigationof

crop planted in the embankment of the reservoir and reused for aquaculture.

A vermiculture-sericulture-carnivorous fish culture is an important approach.in small ditches

where Clarius (magur) and Heteropneus(Singhi)were fed with earthworms and silkworm

pupae didn’t take cannibalism even in highstocking density(Chakrabarty 2009)

The biomass generated as a byproduct of vermicomposting has been found to be a good

source of protein for fish.(Tacon et al 1988, Joshi and Aga 2009). In fish culture industries

attempts are made to replace the costly fish meal which is normally incorporated in diets by

alternative cheaper sources of protein .In Japan the demand for processed earthworms as feed

for eel fry is 180000 tonnes per year.

Although in aquaculture various organic sources have been utilized,utilization of domestic

and organic wastes is limited. The waste from animal husbandry and other domestic wastes

are misplaced resources causing pollution.Raw waste animal dung when directly applied to

water bodies increases BOD (Charabarty et al 2007) and also increases risk of pathogen

transmission vermicompost is free from such side effects.If recent developments in India are

any indication earthworm will soon be used on an industrial scale for solid waste

management and other pollution control mechanism(Senapati and Das 1983 Naddafi et

al2004,Daniel 2007 ).

107

Vermicompost as feed and fertiliser

Organic manuring is widely practised in fish farming ponds for high yield as well as to

reduce expenditure on costly feeds and fertilizers. Chakrabartyet al (2007) sucessfuly applied

vermicompost as direct application as organic manure in fish farming ponds. Vermicompost

can be utilised as food for invertebrate fish food organisms as well as for direct consumption

of fishes. They intended to release inorganic nutrients in water bodies for phyto and zoo

plankton growth. Sujatha et al (2003) found that earthworm casts 2-5times more organic

matter, total nitrogen and exchangeable cations than soil which improves sediment

qualitySo,vermicompost not only supply nutrients but also increases the physico chemical

properties of water as well as the qualities of sediment base.Several methods have been

developed to convert these agrobio wastes into organic manure to replace costly and

hazardous chemical fertilizer.Vermicompost preparation is the best method for converting

agrobio waste into effective manure.The expected productivity of the water body may be

increased manifold by using vermicompost as it improves desirable

nutrients,vitamin,minerals etc.required for the production of aquatic biota and serve either

directly or indirectly through involved ecosystem as food for fishes.The leftover

vermicompost which is not used as food turns into manure.The phytoplanktons play the

important keylink in the food chain of fishes.The goal of fertilisation ought to be to direct all

primary,secondary and tertiary levels of productivity towards maximum yield of

fish(Jhingran 1997)

Use of artificial fish food

Synthetic fish food are species specific but a polyculture system implies common feed for all

species cultured together in the same water body. When artificial food is supposed to

supplement the natural food in a polyculture system the natural food and supplementary food

should complement each other,the latter meeting the deficiency of the former.The other

sources of nutrition which the artificial food has to supplement and complement are a result

of pond manuring and fertilisation which promote generation of natural fish food organisms

such as phytoplankton,zooplankton and other biota as well as detritus(Jhingran 1997)

Vermicompost is naturally devoured by fish and contains high amount of bacterial mass

which is a good source of protein and the rest material gets dissolved in water and serve as

nutrient for waterbody(Chakrabarty et al 2007)and promotes phytoplankton

growth.Sovermicompost could serve as artificial feed and fertiliser.

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There should be an arrangement for feeding the juvenile fish; if small and large fish are

reared together in an aquatic body.Vermiwash can be used as an excellent direct application

feed for juvenile fish in such case (Chakrabarty et al 2009)

Chakrabarty et al 2009 showed that the growth and survival rate of fish is significantly higher

in vermiwash applied aquariums possibly due to the presence of several

micronutrients,metabolites,vitamins and also some free amino acids in

vermiwash(Kale1998;Ping and Boland 2004)The juvenile fish are able to take very small

food particles present in vermiwash.The common food particles like live plankton feed or

market available food pellet are much higher in size than the food particles a juvenile fish can

devour.Vermiwash contains major and micronutrients along with cocoons, small

worms,debris of body parts mainly in edible forms.Vermiwash is reported to contain growth

hormones,vitamins and antibiotics(Lee 1985;Ismail1997)which are beneficial for the growth

of the fish.This has also been shown that probably these substances has helped the fishes to

remain disease free in a laboratory experiment by Chakrabarty et al 2009a.

Preparation of fish feed using vermitechnology

Organic pisciculture is a productive system,which avoids or largely excludes use of synthetic

fertilisers , pesticides growth regulators and feed additives.To the maximum extend feasible

organic pisciculture systems rely upon animal manures,vermicompost and

vermiproducts,green manures,off farm organic waste,mineral bearing rocks etc.

However there is urgent need to enhance the culture of earthworm since its utilisation as live

fish food, bait and fishmeal supplements(Chakrabarty et al 2009).earthworms are prohibited

as fish feed as they contain many essential amino acids along with haemoglobin in their

blood serum which provide the required iron to the developing fish. Adult

earthworms,cocoons and vermiwash can serve the purpose of fish feed in different ways.The

possible association of some N fixing bacteria with vermicompost provides necessary protein

for carnivorous as well as bottom grazing species of fishes.However changing the substrate

composition of various types of vermicompost may be useful as direct application feed for

different fishes.

Earthworm management in vermicomposting

Earthworm exhibit wide diversity in their biology,behaviour patterns,food

habits,environmental requirements etc. So the underlying science of earthworm is required to

apply vermitechnology efficiently.

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Hence vermitechnology the century old practice is now being revived

worldwide.Wastemanagement ,sustainable organic agriculture and aquaculture(Sinha et al

2002;Chakrabarty et al 2007;Chakrabarty 2009).Earthworms have high tendency to

bioaccumulate toxic organic residues(like pesticides,herbicides and antibiotics)and heavy

metals like cadmium,Nickel,Lead and Zinc into their tissue.(Ramu 2001)These toxicants can

biomagnify their effects through use of vermicompost. To avoid the bioaccumulation hazard,

proper substrate should be used during vermiculture.Vermocompost of varying quality for

satisfying required need may be produced using variable substrate.

The 3 species of earthworm which have been studied intensively for vermicomposting are

Eisiniafoetida;Perionyxexcavatesand;Eudriluseugeniae. In comparison to the other 2 species

E.foetida has a more rapid rate of growth and reproduction(Chakrabarty et al 2009)a wider

range of temperature tolerance, is found in the manmade environment and plays a remarkable

role in the decomposition of compost and dump.Sometimes two three different species of

earthworms are simultaneously used for better results.Many factories eg.paper ,wool and

food industries in Japan reportedly utilise this lumbricid worm as a decomposer of organic

waste .Feasibility studies should be made on consortium of earthworms for effective and

uniform vermicomposting in different seasons throughout the year as well as for

optimumutilization of resources.

Conclusions

In organic aquaculture systems vermicomposting provides the use of a holistic farming

system which is an autonomous organic agro ecosystem based on partnership with

nature(Gupta et al 2007)For improving environment huge quantities of domestic agricultural

and rural industrial wastes can be recycled,which is an urgent need of the day.At global level

the concept of food quality has changed during the recent yearsThere is an increased

awareness for accepting organically produced food among all sections of people. Worldwide

there is an escalating awareness about sustainable agricultural and aquacultural practices in

view of energy shortage,food safety and environmental concerns arising out of chemical

farming.

Naturally the organically produced fish will have high demand among all sections of

consumers. Much emphasis has been laid on intensive agriculture and sustainable practices

because indiscriminate use of fertilisers and pesticides have led to the deteoration of soil

health, contamination of air,water and food.It is an alarming issue at global level.Therefore

attention has to be given to organically managed system of aquaculture for achievement of

harmful chemical free and safe food for human consumption.

110

References

ChakrabartyD(2009)Vermicompost and Organic Pisciculture

Chakrabarty Das MK Das SK(2009a) Vermiwash:The balanced diet for juvenile fish

GhoshC(2004)integrated Vermi-Pisciculture-an alternative option for recycling of solid

municipal waste in rural India

Lee KE(1985) Earthworms- their relationships and ecology with soils and land

Singh DP(2004) Vermiculture biotechnology and biocomposting

TaconAGJ(1987)The nutrition and feeding of farmed fishes and shrimps

111




VERMI COMPOSTING AND ORGANIC FARMING

*Umakanta Sethy

*Asst Prof in Zoology, Ravenshaw HSS, Cuttack

Abstract:

Soil invertebrates like earthworms, along with soil micro organisms, degrade organic

waste materials and thus maintain the nutrient flux in the system. The degradation of organic

waste by earthworm consumption is known as Vermi composting. The activities of

earthworms that have most influence on soil structure are ingestion of soil partial breakdown

of organic matter and egestion of this material as well as burrowing through the soil and

bringing sub soil to the surface. It is certain that earthworms have beneficial effects on soils

and many workers have attempted to demonstrate that these effects cause increased yields of

crops. Clearly earthworms influence the drainage of water from the soil and the moisture

holding capacity of soil, both of which are important factors for growing crops. The

importance of earthworms has been realized since the work of Darwin during the Late 19th

Century. Evidence from a wide spectrum of studies has confirmed his observations on the

stupendous role of earthworms in the formation, development and maintenance of soil quality

for the healthy growth of vegetation and microflora.

112




ROLE OF E- COMMERCE IN AGRIBUSINESS IN INDIA

Dr. Brundaban Sahu. Assistant Professor of Commerce.

N.C. Auto.College, Jajpur.

Mail Id- [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Agriculture was identified as one of the great promises of e-commerce due to

the high level of fragmentation present in the supply chain, large volumes

traded, and homogeneous products only reinforced the expectations. Internet

technology has provided the possibility for cost reduction and demand

enhancement along the food supply chain through the use of e-commerce. This

paper encapsulates the status of Information Technology and Agriculture in

India, e-business platform for Indian Agriculture market and challenges as well

as strategies in adoption of e-commerce in agribusiness sector in India. The

present study starts with a pitching to ecommerce and agriculture along with

general framework for e-commerce adoption followed by different business

models supporting e-commerce adoption. But e-commerce is still relatively

primitive, but today more and more companies want to publish on the Internet

itself, as this is essential to remain competitive.

Key Words: E-Agribusiness, Agriculture, e-business, e-marketing and Supply- Chain

113




VERMICOMPOST BUSINESSFOR ATMANIRVAR BHARAT

Dr. Bipranarayan Mallick, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Principal, Model Degree College, Rayagada, Odisha-765017

E-mail: [email protected]

Definition of Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting is a process in which the earthworms convert the organic waste into

manure which is rich in nutritional content. It is the scientific method of making compost, by

using earthworms those are commonly found living in soil, feeding on biomass and excreting

it in a digested form which are very important to the health of the soil.

Vermicompost is the end-product of the process of composting, using various worms, usually

red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms, containing water-soluble nutrients.

Vermicompost is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner containing

high amounts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. While there are

nutrients in worm castings, the real benefit to worm castings are the millions of beneficial

microbes that they contain who eat organic matter in the soil and release available plant

nutrients. Fungi in the castings form symbiotic relationships to transport water and nutrients

to the roots. They can also hold water in the soil and help with water management. Worm

castings have at least 10 times more microbes than soil or regular compost. Several

researchers have demonstrated that earthworm castings have excellent aeration, porosity,

structure, drainage, and moisture-holding capacity. The content of the earthworm castings,

along with the natural tillage by the worms burrowing action, enhances the permeability of

water in the soil. Worm castings can hold close to nine times their weight in wate

Methodology of Vermicomposting

A.Tools and Equipment Required

Gardening gloves

Strainer/Sifter

114

Spading fork

Shovel

Mechanical shredder (optional)

Bicycle-powered sorter (optional)

B. Raw materials/ Packaging Materials

1.Vermi :- There are different species of earthworms viz. Eisenia Foetida (Red earthworm),

Eudrilus Eugenia (Nightcrawler), Perionyx Excavatus, etc.

2.Any types of biodegradable wastes-, Crop residues, Weed biomass, Vegetable waste, Leaf

waste, Hotel refuse, Waste from agro-industries, Biodegradable portion of urban and rural

wastesood wastes, fruit/vegetable trimmings and peelings, dry leaves and stems, animal

manure

3.Earthworm bed (Dimension: 2x1x0.4m)

4.Plastic garbage bags

5.Plastic sacks (50-kg. capacity)

Manufacturing Process of Vermicompost Organic Fertilizer

The first step is to construct a tank preferably with cement in a vacant space in your backyard

or farm. You can also create a simple pit.

•The biodegradable materials such as food wastes, fruit/vegetable trimmings, and dry leaves

and stems are collected

•The food wastes, fruit/vegetable trimmings, peelings, and dry leaves and stems are grinded.

•Mix old animal manure and chicken droppings (month old) with grinded vegetable waste.

This will improve the nutrient content of the finish product.

•It is allowed for partial decomposition for 10 to 15 days. It will help you in achieving a

better activity of earthworms.

115

•Beds of a partially decomposed material of size 6x2x2 feet should be made.

•Partially decomposed agro-waste material is then arranged in layers at the vermicompost

bed.

•6” layer of partially biodegradable agro-waste at the bottom of the be is prepared.

•Apply 1” layer of cow dung slurry on it to further decomposing of the agro-waste for 15 to

20 days.

•After partial decomposition, 4” layer of Farm Yard Manure is covered with cow dung slurry.

•Red earthworm are invested on the upper layer of the bed.

•Water should be sprinkled with can immediately after the release of worms.

•Beds should be kept moist by a sprinkling of water (daily) and by covering with gunny

bags/polythene.

The bed should be turned once after 30 days for maintaining aeration and for proper

decomposition. Vermicompost is harvested when most of the materials have been consumed

by the worms. This takes about 30-45 days depending on environmental and culture

conditions.

NutrientValues of Vermicompost

The nutrients content in vermicompost vary depending on the waste materials that is being

used for compost preparation. The common available nutrients in vermicompost is as follows

Organic carbon: 9.5 – 17.98%

Nitrogen: 0.5 – 1.50%

Phosphorous: 0.1 – 0.30%

Potassium: 0.15 – 0.56%

Sodium: 0.06 – 0.30%

Calcium and Magnesium: 22.67 to 47.60 meq/100g

Copper :2 – 9.50 mg kg-1

Iron: 2 – 9.30 mg kg-1

Zinc: 5.70 – 11.50 mg kg-1

Sulphur: 128 – 548 mg kg-1

116

Storing and Packaging of Vermicompost

The vermicompost should be stored in dark, cool placehaving minimum 30% moisture. It will

lead to loss of moisture and nutrient content. It is advised that the harvested compost material

is openly stored rather than packed in over sac. If it is stored in open place, periodical

sprinkling of water may be done to maintain moisture level and also to maintain beneficial

microbial population. If the necessity comes to store the material, laminated over sac is used

for packing. Vermicompost can be stored for one year without loss of its quality, if the

moisture is maintained at 40% level.

Advantages of vermicompost

1. Vermicompost is rich in all essential plant nutrients providing excellent effect on

plant growth, encourages the growth of newshoots / leaves and improves the quality

and shelf life of the produce.

2. Vermicompost is free flowing, easy to apply, handle and store and does not have bad

odour.

3. It improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and water holding capacity and prevents

soil erosion. As it contains earthworm cocoons ; increases the population andactivity

of earthworm in the soil.

4. It neutralizes the soil protection and prevents nutrient losses and increases the use

efficiency of chemical fertilizers.

5. Vermicompost is free from pathogens, toxic elements, weed seeds etc. and minimizes

the incidence of pest and diseases.

6. It enhances the decomposition of organic matter in soil.

Market Demands of Vermicomposting: - A step towards

Atmanirvar Bharat

As consumers today are inclined towards clean labels and seeking transparency in everything

they consume, organic has emerged as a promising approach to address these concerns.

Organic farming, composed of organic fertilizers as an integral virtue, continues to remain a

lucrative bet for the expanding agricultural industry, in line with growing organic food appeal

to consumers as a healthy and ethical choice. Beyond ethics, organic fertilizers are gaining

significant attraction on account of numerous environmental benefits, such as enhanced soil

structure and water conservation. Animal based organic fertilizers are garnering significant

attraction over plant-based variants owing to their good aeration and water retention

capabilities that enhance the soil fertility.

117

Fertilizers are necessary to increase fertility of the soils used for production of various

agricultural products. Organic fertilizers are fertilizers extracted from animal manure, plant

extracts as well as minerals and vegetable matters, which cause least damage to the

environment. Organic fertilizers are rich in growth hormones and micro nutrients and help to

reduce the risk of diseases in humans. Due to depletion of soil quality; requirement to

increase crop production is necessary which encouraging farmers to use organic fertilizers.

They are selected according to the requirement of the nutrients by the crop. The fast-growing

population, rising demand from agriculture farming for vermicompost as well as increasing

willingness to pay for organic foods, are key drivers for the market to blossom.

Vermicompost organic fertilizer production has now become a major component of agri-

business models across the world with a very low initial investment.

Global organic fertilizers market is expected to flourish at a CAGR of 6.9% during the

forecast period. Further, the global organic fertilizers market is anticipated to reach at a

valuation of USD 6.3 Billion by the end of 2024 from USD 3.1 Billion in 2016. Rising

awareness about the long term benefit of organic farming and increasing adoption of eco-

friendly products is anticipated to drive the growth of the global organic fertilizers market.

Moreover, government is encouraging the adoption of organic fertilizers in various nations

and launched incentive and reimbursement programs which is expected to positively impact

the growth of the global organic fertilizers market.

Vermicompost manufacturers are mostly in the India and Southeast Asia. Among them, India

Production value accounted for less than 9.50% of the total value of global Vermicompost.

Asia Pacific market of organic fertilizers is estimated to be the fastest growing market across

the globe due to high availability of raw materials. Further, favourable government subsidy

policies are envisioned to bolster the growth of organic fertilizers market in Asia Pacific

region.

An aspiring entrepreneur having knowledge about the manufacturing process can initiate a

vermicompost organic fertilizer production business. The unit can be established with

moderate capital investment on a small scale also.

Rural areas where agriculture is the main occupation, suburbs of cities and semi-urban

villages are considered ideal locations for setting up of vermicompost units on a larger scale

from the viewpoint of availability of raw material (cow dung) and marketing of the produce.

Based on the high-end trend of vermicompost technology it is getting increasingly

popular among local entrepreneurs for the reason that it is considered profitable maximizes

the yield.

https://www.niir.org/books/book/complete-book-on-organic-farming-production-organic-compost/isbn-9788178331157/zb,,14e,a,0,0,a/index.html

https://niir.org/books/books/environmentally-friendly-eco-friendly-products-natural-products-biodegradable-plastics-natural-dyes-pigments-jute-products-natural-fibers/z,,a,37,0,a/index.html

https://niir.org/books/books/environmentally-friendly-eco-friendly-products-natural-products-biodegradable-plastics-natural-dyes-pigments-jute-products-natural-fibers/z,,a,37,0,a/index.html

118

Conclusion

Vermicompost organic fertilizer production business has good potential over a range of crops

i.e. agricultural, horticultural, vegetables, etc. The direct sale to end-users that includes

farmers groups, producers and distributors of organic fertilizer that needs vermicompost as

one of its primary components for high-end market in urban areas. Due to the popularity of

organically grown farm produce among the rich residing in posh villages and other high-end

residential areas, this will propel the business and economy of agricultural sector in the

direction of Atmanirvar Bharat.

119




VERMICOMPOSTING AND ORGANIC FARMING

Manjusha Tyagi1*Rukhsar Parveen2, Ankita3, Santosh Arya4




ABSTRACT The modern form of organic farming is new concept .However it being popular in the world and

developed countries. India has tremendous potential to grow crops and vegetable organically and

emerge as a major supplier of organic product in the world organic market. Vermicomposting play a

very important role in organic farming. It is non- thermophilic biodegradation of organic material

through the interaction between microorganism and earthworm.Vermicomposting is a safe,

sustainable approach for treating organic waste. The decomposition of complex organic waste

resource into odour free humus-like substance through the action of earthworms. It is being

commercialized all over the world. It spread many countries like china,US & Australia.

Vermicompost are beneficial the environment by reducing the chemicals fertilizer and decreasing the

waste going to landfills. A new product of vermicomposting is vermicompost tea which is a liquid

produced by extracting organic matter, microorganism and nutrient from vermicompost. Now a days

vermicomposting is spread in India and other countries. It is easily storable, cheap, and do not create

any pollution and also easy adaptability by farmer. At present farmer move forward to organic

farming. It is more valuable and beneficial in our society.

Keywords- Vermicomposting, organic matter, vermicompost, earthworms, vermicompost tea.

Introduction

Vermicomposting also known as vermicasting is the processing of organic waste

through earthworm. It is a natural, odourless, aerobic process. Earthworm ingest waste then

excrete casts-dark, nutrient rich with soil mud granules that make an excellent soil

conditioner. Earthworm cast are ready to use fertilizer that can be used at a higher rate of

farmer as a biofertilizer (Chaoui etal.,2003). Vermicomposting helps to convert the organic

wastes (animal manure, agrowastes & domestic refuges into highly nutrient fertilizer for plant

&soil (Gajalakshmi and Abass 2004). Vermicompost is a peat like material which has a

properties like porosity,aeration, moisture holding capacity (Ismail 2005;Edward

etal.,2011). Vermicompost is a organic fertilizer rich in micronutrient, NPK and beneficial

soil microbes (nitrogen fixing & phosphate solublizing bacteria and actinomycetes). It is a


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sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizer, which is an excellent growth promoter and

protector for plants & crops (Sinha etal.,2011;Chauhan and singh2015). Vermicomposting

is a process which combine the technique of both vermiculture and vermin composting

(Board,2004;Sinha etal.,2015).

At present vermicomposting is an important component of organic farming

system because it is easy to prepare, cheap, storable, do not create any pollution and easy

adaptability by farmer. Composting may be divided into two categories; Aerobic composting

and anaerobic composting. Aerobic composting is carried out in the presence of aerobic

microorganism, break down organic matters and produce co2 , ammonia, water, heat &humus.

In anaerobic composting, decomposition occur in the absence of oxygen. Earthworm plays an

important role in organic farming (Suthar, 2008). Some workers suggested that cellulose &

chitinase enzyme occur in the intestinal canal of Erathworm. Earthworm belongs to the

phylum Annelida. Earthworm can be divided into three environments i.e. terrestrial, marine

and fresh water environment. Earthworm is also known as important ecosystem engineers

(Huang etal.,2007). The enzyme are secreted by earthworm. Its gut consist of many bacteria

& actinomycetes and more than 50 species of bacteria. It was reported that these

microrganism was isolated from the intestinal canal of earthworm and found non that differ

from those in the soil which earthworm can live (Pale etal.,1963). Earthworm produced

intestinal mucous which contain large amount of water soluble, low molecular weight

compound that could be assimilated easily by rapidly multiplying microbial community in the

gut (Subler etal.,1998). In Vermitechnology following earthworm are used; Eisenia fetida

(Misha etal.,2014;Gupta etal.,2007;Manyuchi &Phiri,2013a), Perionyx excavates (Hatti

etal.,2010;Reinecke etal.,1992) and Endrilus eugenice(Reinecke etal.,1992) Eisenia Andrei

and Drawida willsi (Manyuchi and Phiri,2013a).

Role of Vermicomposting in Agriculture

At present, continous use of chemical fertilizer has resulted in the deplection of soil

health.Thus there is an practices using vermicompost, compost, and microbial

fertilizer.(Bano etal.,1987). Vermicomposting enhances soil fertility & water holding

capacity, nutrient supplying capacity, increase agriculture productivity, improves soil

biodiversity and the development of resistance in plant against pests and diseases Sharma

and Goyal, 2000;Adolph and Butterworth,2002;Willer and Larnoud,2019).

Vermicomposting plays an important role in industries, agriculture and overall national

economy. Vermicomposting is a very valuable resource as an organic fertilizer because it

provide macro-micronutrient for plant and is a low cost, eco-friendly. It is very necessary to

use of organic fertilizer to high productivity of products (Adiloglu etal.,2018). Excessive use

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of chemical fertilizer can have adverse effect to the environment (Willer and

Lernoud,2019). Therefore farmers move forward to reduce the use of over chemical

fertilizers and thus organic fertilizers is one of the solution for sustainable agriculutural

productivity (Yousefi and Sadeghi,2014).

Vermicomposting as a biofertilizer

At a present status of global agriculture and soil scenarios the role of earthworm as better and

safe biofertilizer (Singh etal.,2020). Many green technology such as biofertilizer,

vermicompost, green manuring, algal biofertilizer play a important role in minimization of

vast generated from agricultural crops. Nutrients available in domestic &agriculture waste

after composting improve improves plant growth when applied to soil (Wahi etal.,2019).

Nowadays compost tea is a significance role in organic farming. Compost tea is

liquid mixture of nutrient and extracting bacteria, fungi, protozoa etc (Kelly,2013). Compost

tea are beneficial on plants, it prevents plant disease after spraying in compost tea. It is very

useful in agriculture (Scheuerell,2003;Kelly,2004;Gole,2003).

❖ Secreting secondary metabolites,

❖ Develop plant disease suppression.

❖ Increased soil microorganism population and diversity to improve soil structure, plant

growth and water retention.

It was concluded that vermicomposting is spread all over countries .It is more

valuable and beneficial in our society.

Reference

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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS- INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

29TH AND 30TH AUGUST 2020

Dr. Brundaban Sahu

Dr.Kshan Prabha Sahoo

Anuska bhuyan

Dr Manoj Kumar Kar

Sunil Kumar Sahoo

Vanessa Jena

Mr. ANIMESH DASPATTNAYAK

Ratnakar Palei

Madan Mohan Pradhan

Adani Lokho

DR DIBYALOCHAN SINGH

Dr. Santosh Kumar Singh

Manish Kumar Das

Deepshikha Sharma

Rose kunkal

Dr. Gyanranjan Mahalik

126

Bhabjit pattnaik

Dr Jeewan Singh Jalal

DR PRDYUTI DASH

Dr Bipranarayan Mallick

Purnima Regmi

Bhaoona regmi

Subham Babu

Mr.Ananta Kumar Nayak

KAMAL LOCHAN MAHALIK

Mr.ISWAR MEHER

SUMITRA MARNDI

Sarita Lenka

SUMITRA MARNDI

Dr. Jayadev Sahoo

Somani Jethi

Dr. Sagarika Parida

Rajlaxmi Mohanty

AKHILESHWAR PRASAD

Vanessa Jena

127

Raj Kumar Magar

Sumi Shikha Singh

Dr Sanjit Biswas

Yashoda Dangi

Suprava Bisoyi

Suryakanta swain

Monalisa Panda

Maminee Panda

Sampada

Leena Gantayat

Dr Manna Milia6

Dr. Milimita Padhi

Dr. Upendra Prasad Tripathy

Kiran Bala Bhuyan

Srimay Pradhan

Sasmita Panda

S JYOSHNA RAO

Vanessa Jena

KUMAR SAMBHAV CHOPDAR

128

Krushnà Chandra Pradhan

Vanessa Jena

Anindita Nanda

Dr Manjulika Nayak

Dr Banabihari Panigrahi

Sujata Mahapatra

Dr. SIDDHARTHA KUMAR SAHU

Dr. Raj Narayan Roy

GYAN CHANDRA PARIYAR

KESHARI PRASAD MOHANTY

PUNAM RAJESWARY

Dr. Anandini Rout

Adyasha Sahoo

Alok Prasad Das

Ushashee Mandal

Sunita Satapathy

Aditi Harichandan

Pratima Hembram

DR. TANUJ MATHUR

129

Suchismita Rout

Padmanav Behera

Nibedita Nayak

Dr.Saroj Kumar Mishra

Akash Kumar Satapathy

SYED ARIF RAZA

Dr. Lalit Raj Singh

Kalpita Bhatta

Dr Manjusha Tyagi

Debaraj Parida

Himanshu thapliyal

Balarama Sahoo

Soumi Mukherjee

SANGRAM KESHARI NANDA

Sagufta Parvin

Priyani Rajguru

Dr. Arpita Das

Umakanta Sethy

Dr Anjali Sahu

130

MUNIT SHARMA

Subhashree Mongaraj

Smruti Snigdha Panda

Barsha Priyadarshini

Bijayarani Panigrahi

MUNISH SHARMA

Dr. AMIT KUMAR SHARMA

Dr Santosh Kumar Rout

Charchita Mohanty

Harpreet kaur

Dr.Priti Pragyan Ray

DR. ASHOK KUMAR NAYAK

Dr. RAJENDRA YONZONE

Dr.Kapil Charan mohanty

Minati prava sahoo

Dr Pabitra Mohan Nanda

BIPLAB AUDDYA

Pratyusini Mohapatra

Ashok Kumar Swain

131

Manoranjan Mohanta

Bishnu Prasad Sahu

SUSANTA NANDA

Bamakanta Garnaik

Nirupama Parida

Anshulipsa Barik

Dr. Arun Kumar Rath

Dr. Sabita Rani Mishra

Binita Rai

Dr MAMTA GOYAL

Dr.SURESH KUMAR GOYAL

Srimay Pradhan

Medha Mishra

Pranab Kumar Swain

SARMISTHA SAHOO

Pranjal Devkota

Dr.Santosh Kumar Patra

PRAFULLA KUMAR BEHERA

Sagufta Parvin

132

Dr. Sunil Kumar Senapati

Manoj Kumar Mohapatra

Dr Padmanava Mohanty

Harapriya Mangaraj

Richa Mishra

Dr.Subhashree Aparajita

Mrs Smruti srabani

DILLIP KUMAR BEHERA

Dr sanjibani panda

Dr Umabati Sahu

Dr.UMA RANI

Juliet Dhanraj

Dr Tanmayee Mishra

Dr. Pranati Patnaik

Dr Satya Narayan Sahoo

SAUMYA RANJAN PALAI

Rukhsar Parveen

Mousumi Ray

Dr Puspanjali Parida

133

Dr. Nitin Sharma

SAGARIKA BASA

Sarala Oli

Dipendra joshi

Purusottam Mahat

Bhuban Pani

Dr Prasanta Kumar Samantray

Mr.Susil Kumar Pattanaik

Debasish Patra

Monalisa Dhall

Dr Tanmayee Mishra

Sunita Satapathy

Priyadarshini Lenka

Sandhyarani Kuanr

Dr (Mrs) Mamata Pandey

Anjali Prasad

Anil Kumar Patnaik

Sradhanjali Sahu

Sunita Majhi

134

Ranjeeta Nayak

Harapriya Mangaraj

Arsia Tabish

Arpita Sethy

AMBIKA PRASAD PATI

Ashutos Mohapatra

Biswajit jena

Ipsa Satapathy

Sunil Kumar Sahoo

Daksha Ranjan padhi

Swadhin Sekhar Lenka

Upali aparajita Prusty

Manaswini Bal

Lipsa Gochhayat

Madhusmita sahoo

Arsia Tabish

DHANESWAR MALLIK

Manisha Tripathy

Anshulipsa Barik

135

Ranjeeta mahalik

Sanskruti Samal

Bibhu Prasad Dash

Soumyaranjan Dash

Dr. Ashok Kumar Khatua

Sadhana Kumari Bai

Monalisa Sahoo

Barsha regmi

Dr. Gagan bihari prusty

Babita Shrestha

Samiksha Pokhrel

Sarojini Jena

RAJAT KUMAR MISHRA

Suprabha Bhattarai

Dr. BABURAM PANI

Maheswari Behera

Dr Priscilla Chandra Rout

Jyotirmayee sahu

DEBASISH SETHI

136

Barsharani swain

SANTOSH KUMAR ROUT

Upali aparajita Prusty

SritamNanda

Mamata Mishra

Damayanti Nanda

Jayanteebala Parija

PRAMODA KUMAR MAHAPATRA

Goutam Jena

DR PRAKASH KUMAR SARANGI

Niranjan Panda

SISIR KUMAR SAHOO

Amrita oli

Bijay Paudel

Pradeep Kumar Dash

Durlav Parajuli

sarada prasad mohapatra

Gagan bihari prusty

Barsha Bhushan Swain

137




INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ON

“VERMICOMPOSTING AND ORGANIC FARMING, 29TH&

30TH AUGUST 2020- A REPORT

An International Virtual Conference on “ Vermicomposting and Organic

Farming” organized by NCAC Jajpur, Odisha in association with

Trichandra College, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal and

supported by the World Bank. In this conference about 400 participants

from various corners of India and abroad have attended and experts like

Prof Manoj K Mohapatra and Dr Mukul C Kalita from India and Kishor

Maharjan from Nepal delivered on their research topics. Debraj Behera,

Livelihood Specialist, World Bank and Juliet Dhanraj, Canada joined as

Chief Guest and appreciated the efforts of Organizing team of Dept of

Botany and Zoology, NCAC Jajpur and wish the Conference a grand

success.

The session stared with Introductory and welcome address by Dr

Biswajit Mohapatra, I/C UGC and Convener, International Conference. Dr

Kshan Prabha Sahoo, Faculty and Joint Organizing Secretary, NCAC

Jajpur presented a brief introduction about the Institution and also some

of the achievements. Also some selected participants from across 22 states

of India presented their research articles before the International audience.

All the speakers mainly focus on “Atmanirvar Bharat” concept relating to

self reliance so as to face the challenges of Post Covid 19. The participants

had a nice interaction with the speakers, panelists and experts about the

concept of Vermiculture which is the need for sustainable farming. The 2

days webinar was chaired by Prof Manoj K Mohapatra and Dr Biswajit

Mohapatra, NCAC Jajpur,

At last but not the least an appreciation address was given by

Dr.Kshan Prabha Sahoo, Lecturer, Dept of Botany, NCAC Jajpur and

Joint Organizing Secretary of International Conference, 29th and 30th

August 2020.

international virtual conference on€¦ · jajpur, odisha, india and trichandra college, tu,...

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