Vermicomposting for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa [E-Book]

SECTION 1: SCIENCE OF VERMICOMPOSTING -- Chapter 1. A decade of vermicomposting research at the University of Fort Hare: Selected insights -- Chapter 2. State-of-the-Art and New Perspectives on Vermicomposting Research: 18 years of progress -- Chapter 3. Experiences on methods of vermicompost analysis for plant and soil nutrition -- Chapter 4. An outstanding perspective on biological dynamics in vermicomposting matrices -- Chapter 5. Insights into earthworm biology for vermicomposting -- SECTION 2: VERMICOMPOST PRODUCTION Chapter 6. Vermicomposting as an eco-friendly approach for recycling and valorization grape waste -- Chapter 7. Vermitechnology: An underutilised agro-tool in Africa -- Chapter 8. Prospects of vermicompost and biochar in climate smart agriculture -- Chapter 9. Wild bird animal manure vermicomposting: Experiences from Namibia -- Chapter 10.Rock phosphate vermicompost with microbial inoculation potential in organic fertility -- SECTION 3: VERMICOMPOSTS ON SOIL QUALITY AND CROP GROWTH Chapter 11. A farmers' synthesis on the effects of vermicomposts on soil properties -- Chapter 12. Vermicompost as a possible solution to soil fertility problem and enrichment in the semi-Arid Zones of Namibia -- Chapter 13 Role of vermicompost in organic vegetable production under resource-constrained famers in Zimbabwe -- Chapter 14. Co-application of vermicompost with other amendments for the improvement of infertile/degraded soils -- Chapter 15. Sustainable enhancement of soil fertility using bio-inoculants -- Chapter 16. The potential of vermicomposts in sustainable crop production system -- Chapter 17. Vermicompost and vermi-leachate in pest and disease control management -- SECTION 4: VERMICOMPOSTING AND WASTES -- Chapter 18. Vermicompost: A potential reservoir of antimicrobial resistant microbes (ARMs) and genes (ARGs) -- Chapter 19 Potential transformation of organic waste in African countries by using vermicomposting technology- Chapter 20. Earthworms in bioremediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.

This edited book collates the research done mainly in Africa on vermicomposting and related technologies that can assist African smallholder farmers in making nutrient rich organic fertilizers from their animal and crop residue wastes. Information on the development of organic sources of liquid fertilizer development for hydroponics is also presented. The book presents research findings on vermicomposting in a simplified way that will allow farmers and extension workers to adopt the indicated technologies. The book also covers critical aspects of standardization of vermicompost preparation, earthworm biology, nutrient enrichment of composts and organic liquid fertilizer production.Vermicomposting is a technology that employs earthworms to enhance the biodegradation and fertilizer value of organic wastes. The earthworms optimize the biodegradation ecosystem during composting, resulting in a final nutrient rich product with more recalcitrant forms of carbon and much lower levels of veterinary antibiotics and their metabolites. Vermicompost as an organic fertilizer is highly preferred over other forms of soil enhancers. A lot of research has been done on vermicompost and related activities in Africa but remain scattered across various publications. The book is an invaluable source of information for farmers especially those practicing organic crop production, vermicomposting researchers, as well as extension workers.