Vermiculture project initiation in Nalbandyan village
Vermiculture farming and biohumus production at rural youth club in Nalbandyan village in Armenia
Major activities during the reporting period
1. On 7 February, 2007 Development Principles NGO management conducted on site visit to Nalbandyan community where an introductory meeting was held with the YES (Youth Empowered for Self-reliance) club adult leaders and young club members to inform about the approval of the project and discuss the necessary steps towards the launching of the project. All meeting participants were excited to learn about the new project opportunity and expressed their readiness to follow the experts instructions for project inception preparations.
2. During February-March the following was accomplished:
· Modules for the Training to the Trainers on vermiculture and biohumus production were developed by Artashes Karapetyan, Development principles NGO Expert and reviewed by DP Senior Advisor;
· Appropriate space was allocated in Nalbandyan village to host vermiculture farm;
· Necessary quantity of 4-6 months old stored manure (30) was collected and secured in the place nearby the farm facilities.
3. On April 20, 2007 Development Principles NGO experts inspected a farm in Nalbandyan community, where it is anticipated to produce biohumus through cultivation of Californian worms. The choice of the farm was satisfactory, and the site intended for biohumus production was rather spacious and capable to host concurrent cycles of biohumus production. The ground was concrete and there was a trap for excess water drainage.
4. On April 30, 2007 a trip was arranged to the farm to discuss important details of the project and to inspect the finished compost (30 tons), gathered and washed by the children and their parents.
5. 21 May, 2007 there was an inspection of the finished compost made from manure, fruit and vegetable scraps, shredded stems, garden refuse and alum, laid on the concrete 1 meter high ground.
6. Artashes Karapetyan, Development Principles NGO Expert and Vice-President of Spitak Farmer’s Association, eagerly provided finished biohumus to be distributed to the children. At the scene, the trainer introduced the basics on what is biohumus, how to make and use it. The training fascinated the kids greatly. The compost was not finished, thus the worms were not placed yet. Even though there was no container for water yet, it was planned use the neighboring ditch. It could serve as a reservoir from where they could pump water for sprinkling the compost.
7. On 30 May, 2007 the Californian worms were imported. A small test was carried out to check compost condition: several worms were placed on the compost and within 5-10 minutes they penetrated deep into the bedding, which indicated that the compost is ready, thus the rest of the worms could be placed as well.
8. On June 6, 2007 the worm compost was inspected and its condition was evaluated as adequate. The worms were active, and there was already biohumus produced. However, not all of the compost was converted into biohumus. It is expected to collect the fist cycle of biohumus in September.
Plan for future activities
Regular on-site and in-class training sessions to the children.
Publishing of educational materials developed for this project (negotiations are held with Heifer Project International Armenian Branch regarding publishing the materials to be used in joint projects as well) – September-October, 2007.
Community YES club celebration event dedicated to the launching of first vermiculture project in the village and Armavir marz of Armenia – planned for one day in September, 2007.
Separation of worms and biohumus, moving worms to new bedding – September, 2007.
Marketing of biohumus – October, 2007.
Major activities during the reporting period
1. On 7 February, 2007 Development Principles NGO management conducted on site visit to Nalbandyan community where an introductory meeting was held with the YES (Youth Empowered for Self-reliance) club adult leaders and young club members to inform about the approval of the project and discuss the necessary steps towards the launching of the project. All meeting participants were excited to learn about the new project opportunity and expressed their readiness to follow the experts instructions for project inception preparations.
2. During February-March the following was accomplished:
· Modules for the Training to the Trainers on vermiculture and biohumus production were developed by Artashes Karapetyan, Development principles NGO Expert and reviewed by DP Senior Advisor;
· Appropriate space was allocated in Nalbandyan village to host vermiculture farm;
· Necessary quantity of 4-6 months old stored manure (30) was collected and secured in the place nearby the farm facilities.
3. On April 20, 2007 Development Principles NGO experts inspected a farm in Nalbandyan community, where it is anticipated to produce biohumus through cultivation of Californian worms. The choice of the farm was satisfactory, and the site intended for biohumus production was rather spacious and capable to host concurrent cycles of biohumus production. The ground was concrete and there was a trap for excess water drainage.
4. On April 30, 2007 a trip was arranged to the farm to discuss important details of the project and to inspect the finished compost (30 tons), gathered and washed by the children and their parents.
5. 21 May, 2007 there was an inspection of the finished compost made from manure, fruit and vegetable scraps, shredded stems, garden refuse and alum, laid on the concrete 1 meter high ground.
6. Artashes Karapetyan, Development Principles NGO Expert and Vice-President of Spitak Farmer’s Association, eagerly provided finished biohumus to be distributed to the children. At the scene, the trainer introduced the basics on what is biohumus, how to make and use it. The training fascinated the kids greatly. The compost was not finished, thus the worms were not placed yet. Even though there was no container for water yet, it was planned use the neighboring ditch. It could serve as a reservoir from where they could pump water for sprinkling the compost.
7. On 30 May, 2007 the Californian worms were imported. A small test was carried out to check compost condition: several worms were placed on the compost and within 5-10 minutes they penetrated deep into the bedding, which indicated that the compost is ready, thus the rest of the worms could be placed as well.
8. On June 6, 2007 the worm compost was inspected and its condition was evaluated as adequate. The worms were active, and there was already biohumus produced. However, not all of the compost was converted into biohumus. It is expected to collect the fist cycle of biohumus in September.
Plan for future activities
Regular on-site and in-class training sessions to the children.
Publishing of educational materials developed for this project (negotiations are held with Heifer Project International Armenian Branch regarding publishing the materials to be used in joint projects as well) – September-October, 2007.
Community YES club celebration event dedicated to the launching of first vermiculture project in the village and Armavir marz of Armenia – planned for one day in September, 2007.
Separation of worms and biohumus, moving worms to new bedding – September, 2007.
Marketing of biohumus – October, 2007.
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