Vermiculture for Sustainable Organic Agriculture in Madagascar

Holy Ranaivoarisoa,Solofoniaina Ravoninjiva,Romaine Ramananarivo,Sylvain Ramananarivo

doi:10.3390/horticulturae3010002

Holy Ranaivoarisoa, Solofoniaina Ravoninjiva + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae3010002

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Journal: Horticulturae	Publication Date: Dec 30, 2016
License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Antananarivo

Abstract

Despite the possession of arable land, Malagasy farmers do not have sufficient access to capital and equipment and invest little to improve their low agricultural productivity in Madagascar. Vermicomposting is the result of research on the culture of earthworms to overcome problems with fertilization and provide benefits to farmers, including improvement in crop performance and yield, and preservation of the environment. Each farmer can practice vermicomposting because of its simple technology. Our concern has been how to develop the production and use of vermicompost at the household level in rural areas in order to solve problems of soil fertility, improve agricultural productivity, and increase farmers' incomes with this organic technique. Thus, the objective of this research was to propose a model for the development of production and use of vermicompost in rural areas in order to minimize the costs of agricultural inputs, improve soil fertility and increase long-term household incomes. A typology of operators was carried out according to defined factors of production and activities performed, followed by a socio-economic analysis and a comparative analysis based on the types obtained. It will be essential to clearly define a national policy on organic farming by supporting private sector groups, NGOs or associations, and encouraging farmers to produce their own fertilizer. Technical and financial support will be needed for the development of concrete visual references which can demonstrate the technical and economic value that organic farming brings using vermicompost.

Highlights

Malagasy farmers do not have sufficient access to materials and capital, despite the possession of arable land
This research focused on the identification of the mode of development of vermicomposting by farmers in the Rural Municipality of Ambohimanambola to resolve fertility problems, improve organic agriculture and agricultural productivity, and increase household incomes
The analyses indicated that the agricultural practices of farmers using vermicompost were different from those of households using other types of fertilization according to predefined criteria

Summary

Introduction

Malagasy farmers do not have sufficient access to materials and capital, despite the possession of arable land. They use very few modern inputs, such as fertilizers and improved seeds, or modern technologies. They engage in few activities for improvement of agricultural land: 16% of cultivated land is fertilized, 2% with mineral fertilizers and 14% with organic manure [1]. Vermicompost is a fertilizer that farmers can produce themselves by using their land and recycling household waste. Its use is considered organic, and greatly reduces inputs excluding expenditures for synthetic chemicals [2]. The number of farmers who currently use vermicompost is very small.

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