Vermicomposting Educational Requirements Analysis
Educational Requirements Analysis
Project Ref: 2021-1-TR01-KA220-VET-000030021
This report is part of the IO2- WP02 PowerWORMS Educational Requirements Analysis (ERA) from the project VERMICOMPOSTING: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Waste Management in Europe – POWERWORMS. The major aim of the status analysis is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present situation in the participating countries.
This report is created based on the research conducted in the project countries in the period from September 2022 until December 2022. Increasing agricultural production in parallel with the increase in the world population causes the use of more inputs. Considering the population growth and the need for agricultural production, the most intense input consumption will be in developing countries. Countries with the potential to develop agriculture, such as Türkiye, are candidate countries to meet their future food needs. Some of the negativities caused by the intensive use of chemical fertilizers, which are at the beginning of the inputs used in agriculture, create hesitations in consumers. Undesirable effects resulting from excessive and unplanned use of fertilizers highlight increased controlled fertilizer consumption. Increasing productivity without using unconscious and intense inputs and destroying nature and the environment is possible. Continuing studies and new plant nutrition and fertilization methods show that healthy agricultural products can be grown from soil to table.
In order to obtain more efficiency and to obtain quality and healthy products with a balanced plant nutrition and fertilization, it is necessary to determine the fertilizer need correctly and to monitor the information such as fertilizer type and amount, application method, application frequency and time. Increasing the efficiency of fertilizer use will also play an important role in meeting the plant nutrient requirement by reducing the risks. Measures to increase fertilizer efficiency are important in terms of product, environment, and economy.
To obtain the maximum benefit from fertilizers, it is necessary to use the right fertilizer in the right plant, place, and time, considering plant demands, climate, soil structure, and vegetation period. By applying the required type and amount of fertilizer; As a result of excessive use of fertilizers, quality deterioration in yield, loss of productivity of agricultural lands, negative effects on the environment, waste of resources, etc. problems will be prevented, as well as the decrease in efficiency and quality encountered as a result of underuse will be prevented.
Considering the reasons stated above, the Powerworms project aims to produce and disseminate technical knowledge on the production and use of worm manure, which will protect natural resources, prevent soil and environmental pollution, and increase efficiency. This report presents the implications from farmers, local professionals, educators and experts in the current state of worm casting production and use, which promotes organic farming activities and good agricultural practices that prioritize consumers’ access to natural, healthy foodstuffs.
Disclaimer
The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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