| Raveendran, Raji Bhavan,Ullooor, Thiruvananthapuram, 9048282885 |
Human hair that is a waste product of hair dressing shops finds a productive use in the hands of Raveendran, Raji Bhavan,Ullooor, Thiruvananthapuram, a farmer. He converts it to vermi-compost and uses it to feed his crops.
A plastic barrel with a tap at the bottom to drain out the vermi-wash can be the container for the preparation of the compost. Inside such a barrel, he spreads wet jute bag at the bottom. This is followed by spreading hair for a depth of 4 inches. On top of this is applied raw cowdung solution mixed with jiggery. This process is repeated till three-fourth of the barrel height. On top of this is applied cowdung slurry, into which the African variety of earthworms are introduced. The barrel is covered with jute bag and water is sprinkled on top. Twice or thrice a week, the top of the barrel is wetted.
Within two weeks, the worms multiply and grow. For the next two months, they eat the hair and produce compost. At this stage, adding more cowdung slurry to the top induces the earthworms to migrate to that zone. They can then be easily removed and used for the next cycle of composting.
The vermin-wash that drains from the bottom can be diluted with 5 times water and applied to vegetables. It is his experience that the crops grow with more vigour and produce is better when it is applied.
Courtesy: M.P.Ayyappadas (text), Mathrubhumi, May 28, 2017
