Sixteen (16) vermi-beds are now being constructed at the Integrated Provincial Environment Management Center (IPEMC) in Tnongkop, Tantangan to produce vermi-casts that will be used as organic fertilizer.
Supervising Environment Management Specialist Elbe Balucanag of the Provincial Environment Management Office – Environment Management Division (PEMO-EMD) disclosed that Provincial Capitol generates bio-degradable waste such as vegetable waste and that will be use as “feeds” to the “African Night Crawlers” or ANC to generate the vermi-casts.
“We produced substantial vegetable waste on a daily basis, that is why we need to have vermi-production area,” SEMS Balucanag explained.
Aside from vegetable waste, Balucanag said, they will also coordinate with the Animal Production and Processing Center (APPC) which is under the management of the Provincial Veterinary Office and also located in Tinongkop, Tantangan for animal manure which they will use in the vermi-cast production.
“The vermi-production area will likewise serve as a demo and research center where PEMO-EMD will conduct verification trials. Students from Agricultural Institutions will be invited to visit the area to have a hands-on experience about vermi-production,” Balucanag pointed out.
Measuring at 1 meter by 5 meters per bed, some 200 kilograms of vermi-cast are expected to be produced or a total of 3,200 kilograms for the 16 –bed capacity.
“We will sell the vermi-cast at P5.00 per kilogram as stipulated in the Organic Agriculture Ordinance of the province or utilize it for our reforestation projects and other similar undertakings,” PEMO Siegfred Flaviano added.
The vermi-bed project has a total budget of P100,000.00 and its construction is being undertaken by the Provincial General Services Office.
