PowerWorms

VERMICOMPOSTING: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Waste Management in Europe

Programme:
Erasmus+ KA220-VET | Cooperation Partnerships In Vocational Education And Training
Project Code: 2021-1-TR01-KA220-VET-000030021

Description

PowerWORMS Project aims to study, research, and verify the production techniques and specifications of vermicomposting in order to transfer the knowledge to interested parties; farmers and consumers so that the utmost importance of using vermicomposting could be disseminated. The project also aims to establish a network link and a discussion platform among researchers, academicians, public organization representatives, marketing experts, consumers, and local producers to share different perspectives, expert opinions and in order to discover new opportunities and ways to improve the existing production processes and facilitate the product innovation. The main purpose of this project is to: (1) determine the level of vermicomposting contribution to productivity in agriculture and farming in rural areas, (2) demonstrate multiple benefits of term technology; low-cost production of biofertilizer, environmental management of solid wastes, and agricultural residues, enhanced soil productivity, tastier quality food (3) develop chemical-free vermicomposting production techniques for farmers professionally and for families whose solid kitchen waste can be used as home compost. (4) Raise Agroecology awareness among citizens (families and kids).

Objectives

STRATEGIC PROJECTS OBJECTIVE
Our overarching objective is to promote, facilitate and accelerate the global transition to regenerative agriculture and food systems, farming, and land management in order to restore climate stability, increase biodiversity, rebuild soil fertility and produce healthy food.

STRATEGIC PROJECTS OBJECTIVE
Our overarching objective is to promote, facilitate and accelerate the global transition to regenerative agriculture and food systems, farming, and land management in order to restore climate stability, increase biodiversity, rebuild soil fertility and produce healthy food.

CORE PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The main purpose of this project is to: (1) determine the level of vermicomposting contribution to productivity in agriculture and farming in rural areas, (2) demonstrate multiple benefits of term technology; low-cost production of biofertilizer, environmental management of solid wastes, and agricultural residues, enhanced soil productivity, tastier quality food (3) develop chemical-free vermicomposting production techniques for farmers professionally and for families whose solid kitchen waste can be used as home compost. (4) Raise Agroecology awareness among citizens (families and kids).

PROJECT AIMS DESCRIPTION
Our lands in the agriculture that mankind has done for centuries, were naturally processed by worms and fertilized spontaneously. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides that have been used unconsciously in recent years have killed worms in the soil and also damaged the natural nature of the soil. Worm Fertilizer, an organic fertilizer, should be preferred to regain the materials it needs in the soil and to make it permanent. In recent years, the ecological characteristics and beneficial effects of earthworms have been clearly demonstrated, focused on by scientific research. Therefore, Vermicomposting plays a major role in improving the growth and yield of different field crops, vegetables, and flower and fruit crops. Many European countries have banned the use of chemical fertilizers in this regard, while America and Israel have been using Worm manure for more than 50 years on average. Many crops grown with worm fertilizer provide a 40% more yield increase than other fertilizers. Therefore, Europe needs to progress towards the adoption of Worm Fertilizer practices.

Project Partners

  • MALATYA TURGUT OZAL UNIVERSITESI, Turkey
  • Kayisi Arastirma Enstitusu, Turkey
  • NATURAINNOVA GIDA TARIM VE ILAC LTD, Turkey
  • Innopolis Centre for Innovation and Culture, Greece
  • FONDACIJA AGRO CENTAR ZA EDUKACIJA FACE, Skopje
  • INTERNATIONALE ARBEIDSVERENI GING, Netherlands
  • WWOOF ESPAÑA, Spain
  • INNOTOMIA P.C., Greece