Since 2014, Theophane Venard School of Biotechnology has started the annual academic project entitled "Earthworms Culture Training for Community," operated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Viyada Kunathigan and Asst. Prof. Dr. Tatsawan Tipvarakarnkoon and supported by Assumption University of Thailand. This summer (March 26, 2022), the "Earthworm Project for Sustainable Agriculture" vermiculture workshop was conducted at O-Farm at Suvarnabhumi.
The participants included the organic farmers' community led by Mr. Kantapong Kaewkamol (O-farm owner and advisor to the Young Smart Farmer Thailand Network) together with Mr. Penphol Sangkaew (organic farmer and entrepreneur from Phetchabun) and Mrs. Sujinda Mahattanakul (from Samutprakarn provinces) and her team members. The workshop was also broadcasted through the Facebook page of O-Farm (https://www.facebook.com/OFARM2016).
During the workshop, the participants discussed the nature of earthworms, varieties of earthworms, vermicomposting systems and equipment, and the economic perspective of the vermicompost and earthworms.
Then in the second part of the workshop, the participants had hands-on experiences in the preparation of bedding from cow manure, preparation of containers (using large plastic containers) and the harvesting technique for worm cast. The participants were given samples of earthworms to start vermicomposting.
The workshop discussion group was set up through the Line application providing the participants and the Biotech team a way to communicate and share their progress and experiences after the workshop.
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This workshop aims to support the farmers' community to produce high-quality organic fertilizers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. In addition, vermiculture can be a way to reduce organic wastes and become an alternative income source due to the demand for earthworm cast and also the earthworm itself.
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| Asst. Prof. Dr. Viyada Kunathigan | Asst. Prof. Dr. Tatsawan Tipvarakarnkoon |
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