Vermicomposting in Turkey: Challenges and Opportunities in Future

Abstract

Turkey has been undergoing positive agricultural transformations since the 2011. Turkey agricultural sector today is developing with new techniques and products. One of the best examples of this; is the production of vermicompost and its use in agriculture. Turkey is in Asian and European continents (Eurasia) with the population approximately 81 million. Turkey has 24 million hectares of agriculture land (excluding pastures+ meadows, including total arable land and under permanent crops). There is little data available on vermicompost production in Turkey. The production of vermicompost started after 2011. The average solid vermicompost production in the 2017 was about 20000 tonnes produced by 15 plants with official production permit by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Apart from this information, it is estimated that there are approximately 4200 unauthorized vermicompost producers in Turkey. The production of liquid vermicompost in Turkey is limited. A few producers also produce worm-tea in the country. On the other hand, livestock activities also increase day by day and a lot of waste comes out. It can be said that the most rational method for evaluation of waste is to produce vermicompost. Vermicomposting is an environment friendly process used to convert organic waste into valuable agricultural product. The interest in the vermicompost is increasing day by day in the whole country. As far as the vermicompost production is concerned, Turkey has a new specific legislation and published by the official newspaper no 30341 dated 23 rd February 2018. There are two big legally authorized associations in the country today. The number of academicians engaged in academic studies a vermicompost is limited and interest in the vermicomposting is increasing. One of the biggest companies producing solid-liquid vermicompost and all related machines is operating in Tekirdag province and this company has the largest production capacity of Turkey. The company operates by consulting with academicians who are experts in vermicomposting. The results of academic studies on vermicompost showed that there are many positive effects on soil quality and plant growth. However, many other benefits of vermicompost on soil-plant systems are not yet fully understood. The use of vermicompost is important for the sustainability of agriculture. The main aim of the paper is to demonstrate and share reasonable causes for the increased interest in vermicompost and earthworms. For the vermicompost sector by 2023 Turkey aims to be among the top three overall producers globally.