Across the world, chemical farming practice using synthetic inputs is becoming a threat to sustainable agriculture for natural resource conservation, environmental protection and enhance the soil-plant-animal-human health. The question is to develop valuable organic product by recycling organic wastes. A combination of composting of composting and vermicomposting are considered as a way of achieving stabilized substances by joint action of microorganisms and earthworm. Today, commercial potential of waste conversion industry and business, both at small and large scale are established in different countries of the world. Sustainable development focuses on a relationship of co-operation and co-existence of humans with nature. Soil is starting point for food. The state of agricultural lands influences the health of crop; and the livestock and human eating habits influences Soil health. Today, what we do to the soil will affect humanity for years to come. This book is designed as complete coverage of organic waste management and recycling, Vermicompost product development using minerals and earthworm. Commercial production of vermicompost, field application and sustainability of soil-plant-animal-human health. The book calls for the establishment of a network of sustainable soil management, it is vital as human dependability on soil continues to increase.
Prof. (Dr.) Bijoy Chandra Ghosh a distinguished academician and retired Professor from the Agricultural and Food Engineering Department, IIT, Kharagpur, has made significant contributions to agricultural research, education, and innovation. He earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agriculture from Banaras Hindu University, followed by a DIIT in Farm Management Technology and a Ph.D. from IIT, Kharagpur. With expertise in management, soil-plant-water relationships, crop production, and organic food chain management, he guided 82 M.Tech. and 18 Ph.D. scholars. His research focused on organic waste recycling, vermicomposting, tea cultivation and processing, urban farming, and the role of organic food in health defense. Professor Ghosh has published 189 papers, authored book chapters, obtained patents, and led numerous sponsored and consultancy projects funded by reputed organizations. Recognized with prestigious awards including the JSPS Fellowship (Japan), FAI Silver Jubilee Award, CSIR Fellowship, and National Science Day Award, he remains a pioneer in sustainable agricultural practices and technology transfer.
Prof. (Dr.) Prasanta Kumar Biswas is an accomplished academic and researcher, presently serving as a Professor in the Department of Food Technology and Biochemical Engineering at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. He earned his B.Tech. from Jadavpur University, M.Tech. in Dairy and Food Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, and Ph.D. in Food Technology from Jadavpur University. With rich teaching experience at Tribhuban University, Nepal, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, and Jadavpur University, he has contributed extensively to research and innovation in food processing and biochemical engineering. Dr. Biswas has authored many books related to agro-processing like traditional rice varieties, Soybean and Soy products, and published widely in reputed journals, including Chemosphere, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry and Food and Chemical Toxicology. His research interests span nanotechnology in agriculture, plasma drying, application of cold plasma, food safety, value addition of agro-products, and bioactive compounds from food wastes. A recipient of many awards, he holds strong positions in both academic and industrial arenas of his subject domain, both inside the country and abroad. He has acquired academic and industrial exposure from Toronto University, Guelph University (Canada), Chudleigh’s bakery (Canada) and visited various food industries in Canada, Switzerland and Netherlands for academic enrichment.
Dr. Pothula Srinivasa Brahmanand, Project Director at the Water Technology Centre, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, is a distinguished Water Management Scientist with 27 years of research experience. He has previously served as Director (Research) at RPCAU, Bihar, and Principal Scientist at ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar. His contributions include innovative technologies in integrated rice-fish farming, precision irrigation, post-flood interventions, and nutrientefficient cropping systems. Widely recognized, he holds two Guinness World Records and five national awards, including ICAR’s Outstanding Interdisciplinary Team Research Award. A Fellow of leading scientific academies, he has authored over 100 research papers, six books, and numerous technical publications.
Dr. Sayan Das is a dedicated researcher and academic in Food Technology and Biochemical Engineering, currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Jadavpur University. He holds both B.E. and M.Tech. degrees in the same field from the university, with a strong focus on sustainable food processing and waste valorization. His doctoral work explores the conversion of tea and fruit waste into protein-rich fish feed and bioproducts, alongside innovations like biocharbased carbon filters and functional food development. Das has published on sustainable tannase enzyme production and is actively engaged in projects that bridge scientific research with practical applications in food safety and nutrition. Professionally, he has served as a Senior Research Fellow at Jadavpur University, Assistant Professor at Vidyasagar University, and faculty trainer at Netaji Subhash Training Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture. His leadership includes establishing a NABL-accredited laboratory and guiding 41 Farmer Producer Organizations in West Bengal toward entrepreneurship. Certified as a NABL Chemist and government trainer, Das combines academic rigor, industrial quality assurance experience, and community impact, reflecting his commitment to sustainable food systems and innovation.
Dr. Sourja Ghosh is a Senior Principal Scientist at the CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, and Professor of Engineering Science at AcSIR. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, with over 20 years of R&D experience. His expertise spans membrane and separation technologies, wastewater treatment, ceramic and composite membranes, CO₂ sequestration, and biofuel generation. He has authored 63 SCI-indexed papers, 12 book chapters, and holds two patents. With extensive project leadership (DST, DBT, SERB, CSIR), he has supervised multiple Ph.D. and post-doctoral scholars. Recognized with several national awards, Dr. Ghosh contributes significantly to sustainable environmental technologies.
1 Biowaste Resources................................................................................1
1.1. Biomass Resources............................................................................1
1.2. Crop Wastes.......................................................................................4
1.3. Weed Biomass.................................................................................22
1.4. Food Wastes....................................................................................27
1.5. Forest Biomass................................................................................53
1.6. Animal Wastes.................................................................................59
1.7. Fish Waste Management.................................................................73
1.8. Industrial Waste...............................................................................75
1.9. Rocks and Minerals.........................................................................77
References..............................................................................................84
2 Biowaste Recycling and Valorization.................................................97
2.1. Composting and Vermicomposting.................................................97
2.2. Composting Process......................................................................101
2.3. Factors Affecting the Composting Process...................................108
2.4. Vermicomposting..........................................................................128
2.5. Advantages of Composting and Vermicomposting.......................132
2.6. Humus Formation..........................................................................133
2.7. Biochar .........................................................................................141
2.8. Crop Response to Humus, Biochar, Compost and Vermicompost................................................................................149
References............................................................................................151
3 Earthworm in Vermicomposting......................................................159
3.1. Earthworm in Organic Waste Management..................................159
3.2. Earthworm Species for Biowaste Management............................161
3.3. Earthworm Morphology................................................................165
3.4. Earthworm Physiology..................................................................167
3.5. Environmental Factors on Earthworm..........................................170
3.6. Worms in Organic Matter and Nutrient Recycling.......................176
3.7. Earthworm as Feed Protein Source to Animals.............................182
3.8. Earthworm as Bio-indicator of Environment and Soil Contamination........................................................................183
3.9. Earthworm Propagation and Multiplication..................................184
References............................................................................................191
4 Microbiology of Vermicomposting....................................................199
4.1. Microbiology.................................................................................199
4.2. Microbes in Composting and Vermicomposting...........................202
4.3. Microbial Biomass........................................................................204
4.4. Dispersal of Microorganism by Earthworm..................................205
References............................................................................................206
5 Technology of Vermicomposting System..........................................207
5.1. Vermicompost System...................................................................207
5.2. Layout of Vermicomposting Unit..................................................209
5.3. Machinery used for Vermicomposting..........................................224
5.4. Maturity of Vermicompost and Harvesting...................................226
5.5. Drying and Bagging of Vermicompost..........................................232
5.6. Vermibed Wash Solutions and Vermicompost Solution (Vermicompost TEA)....................................................................234
5.7. Vermicompost and Vermicompost TEA in Soil Amendments and Crop production................................................238
5.8. Pests and Disease Suppression by Vermicompost and Vermicompost TEA.......................................................................245
5.9. Heavy Metals in Earthworms and Vermicompost.........................250
5.10. Earthworm as Animal Feed and Pharmaceuticals.......................255
5.11. Enrichment of Vermicompost......................................................263
5.12. Quality Parameters of Vermicompost.........................................266
References............................................................................................272
6 Commercial Potential and Economics of Vermicomposting..........285
6.1. Introduction...................................................................................285
6.2. Models of Vermicompost Enterprise.............................................288
6.3. Economics of Vermicomposting...................................................291
6.4. Factors affecting Commercial Potential of Vermicomposting......292
References............................................................................................293
7 Detailed Financial Report on Vermicompost Manufacturing Plant..........................................................................295
7.1. Basic Presumptions.......................................................................295
7.2. Layout for a Vermicompost Manufacturing Plant.........................297
7.3. Workflow Optimization.................................................................299
7.4. Business Plan for Vermicompost Manufacturing Plant.................301
7.5. Operations Plan.............................................................................302
7.6. Marketing and Sales Strategy........................................................303
7.7. Risks and Mitigation.....................................................................303
7.8. Sustainability Goals......................................................................303
8 Case Studies: Vermicompost Technology Development.................315
8.1. Vermicomposting in India.............................................................315
8.2. Vermicomposting in United Kingdom..........................................318
8.3. Vermicomposting in Spain............................................................321
8.4. Vermicomposting in North America ............................................323
8.5. West Coast of USA Bait Farm (California)...................................325
8.6. Vermicomposting in Mexico.........................................................331
8.7. Commercial Vermiculture in China...............................................337
8.8. Vermicomposting in Australia and New Zealand..........................344
References............................................................................................348
9 Sustainable Agriculture (Soil Life-Plant Life-Animal Life-Human Life)..................................353
9.1. Soil Life.........................................................................................353
9.2. Plant Life ......................................................................................371
9.3. Animal Life...................................................................................381
9.4. Human Life...................................................................................393
References............................................................................................416
Subject Index........................................................................................437
