Assessment of vermicomposting as a waste management technology and livelihood alternative

A survey was conducted to assess vermicomposting as a waste management technology and a livelihood technology. Twenty-four vermicomposting facilities all over the country were visited and documented. The vermicomposting adoptors consist mostly of middle to upper class farmer entrepreneurs. They have innovated the technology in order to optimize the performance of their systems and make use of their available resources. In terms of economic viability, the technology was proven to be a good source of income aside from the various benefits which can be derived from its various products- compost worms and vermicompost. Aside from the economic gains, savings were also derived by using the product itself and its derivatives. The social impact for most of the adoptors is not yet realized since small scale and newly initiated vermiprojects did not entail much labor workforce in its operation and maintenance. Only the large scale vermifacilities demonstrated the positive social influence of the technology. For the environmental impacts, the technology has the potential to affect water, air and land resources positively. Some possible impacts include organic waste management, air pollution reduction and reduction in the application of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides to some extent. However, extensive adoption especially in urban areas is necessary in order to address its solid waste problems. In general, the technology is very cost effective, environment-friendly, and has many potential positive impacts to the society, economy and environment. Once given enough attention and support from the government, the technology could even amplify its impact to national level. Mass adoption would lead to government savings from importation of petro chemicals and inorganic fertilizer, savings from waste management, farmers' impowerment, agriculture sustainability, and furthermore sustainable development.