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In Migori County, southwestern Kenya, farmers are embracing an innovative and sustainable way to boost soil fertility and improve crop yields: using earthworms to produce organic fertilizer. The technique, highlighted in Farm Radio International’s Barza Wire, is helping smallholder growers move away from expensive and environmentally harmful synthetic fertilizers toward nature-based agricultural solutions
From Waste to Wealth: How Earthworms Transform Farms
On his coffee farm in Kosodo village, farmer Caleb Omolo checks on a group of troughs shaded under mango trees. Inside the troughs, dozens of earthworms are hard at work breaking down piles of coffee pulp and other organic materials. Over time, the worms turn this waste into rich, soil-like matter that can be dried and applied as organic fertilizer on crops.
“These earthworms are very good eaters,” explains Mr. Omolo. “They can consume up to five times their body weight in food each day, and in the process they produce fertilizer rich in phosphorus, calcium, and other essential nutrients that plants need.”
In a single month, his earthworms can produce roughly 500 kilograms of organic fertilizer, part of which he applies to his own four-acre farm and the rest he sells to neighbouring farmers eager for affordable, sustainable inputs.
A Growing Movement Among Smallholder Farmers
Mr. Omolo’s success is inspiring others in the region. Nearby farmer Thadeus Ombego learned the technique from him and now uses earthworm-made fertilizer to grow vegetables like black nightshade, spider flower, and amaranth. When he runs short of his own supply, he purchases the organic fertilizer from Mr. Omolo
Another local grower, Callen Akech, reports increased yields of tomatoes and kale since adopting the organic fertilizer and farmyard manure in place of synthetic alternatives over the past two years .
Agricultural Extension Support and Adoption
Agricultural officials in the region are also backing this shift toward organic soil amendments. William Ndirangu, an agricultural officer in Rongo sub-county, notes that organic fertilizers help farmers achieve better yields, especially under the fast-changing conditions caused by climate change. “In the past, farmers only relied on synthetic fertilizers,” he says. Today, many are adopting vermiculture techniques to enhance productivity and preserve soil health
Yet, the broader adoption of earthworm-based fertilizer is not without challenges. Earthworms are increasingly scarce in some areas due to the heavy use of pesticides and chemical inputs that destroy their populations. Mr. Omolo plans to continue multiplying earthworms in order to restore their numbers and ensure that more farmers can benefit from this sustainable practice
Why This Matters: Sustainability, Cost Savings, and Food Security
As synthetic fertilizer prices rise and climate variability threatens traditional farming methods, indigenous solutions like vermiculture are gaining traction. Earthworm-produced compost provides a low-cost, locally producible input that enriches soil without the negative environmental impacts associated with chemical fertilizers. This approach supports healthy soils, enhances crop yields, and contributes to long-term food security.
Source Credit: Farmradio international
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