🌾 Method of Making Cow Dung Manure

Nowadays many farmers want to do organic farming. But for good organic farming, it is also important to have organic manure. If there is no good manure in the field, then farming cannot be done properly.

In this article, we will learn in easy and simple language what is the “method of making cow dung manure” and how good vermicompost manure can be prepared in only 30 to 35 days. This method is very easy and small farmers can also do it easily.

🌱 1. What is Cow Dung Manure

Cow dung manure is an organic manure prepared with the help of cow dung and earthworms. It is also called vermicompost manure. If prepared properly, this manure gets ready in about 30 to 35 days.

🐄 2. How to Prepare Fresh Cow Dung

🔥 2.1. What Problem Happens in Fresh Cow Dung

When cow dung is completely fresh, it contains a lot of heat. Along with this, methane gas is also present in it. If earthworms are added directly into fresh cow dung, then the worms may start dying or get damaged.

That is why, in the “method of making cow dung manure,” the first and most important work is to cool the cow dung.

💧 2.2. Correct Method to Cool the Cow Dung

To cool the cow dung, enough water should be added to it. By adding water, the methane gas inside the dung starts coming out and the dung slowly becomes cool.

For example, about 20 dhamma / baskets of cow dung were collected. In the same way, farmers can take more or less cow dung according to their need. Even if there is one trolley or two trolleys of cow dung, the same method has to be followed.

🚿 2.3. How Much Water Should Be Added

✔️ Keep These Things in Mind While Adding Water

• About 10 buckets of water should be added in 20 dhamma / baskets of cow dung
• It is necessary to soak the cow dung completely
• If it does not get fully wet at one time, then add water 2 to 3 times in a day
• Pour water from the top in such a way that it flows till the bottom
• Due to water, the gas inside the dung keeps coming out

🌡️ 2.4. How to Identify That the Cow Dung Has Become Cool

In the beginning, when you put your hand inside the cow dung, it feels hot. But after continuously adding water, the dung starts becoming cool.

Around the fourth day, the cow dung becomes completely cool and no gas remains in it. After this, adding earthworms into it is considered safe.

💨 3. Why It Is Important to Remove Methane Gas

If methane gas remains inside, then earthworms do not stay safe. If the dung is hot and contains gas, then the worms may die or run away.

That is why it is necessary to first cool the cow dung properly by adding enough water. Only when the cow dung becomes completely cool should it be added into the vermicompost bed.

🛏️ 4. How to Make Vermicompost Bed / Kyaari

🧴 4.1. Why Plastic is Spread Under the Bed / Kyaari

While preparing the bed, plastic is spread below it. This gives two big benefits:

✔️ Benefits of Using Plastic

• Earthworms do not go into the ground
• Vermi wash can be collected

If manure is prepared without plastic, then the vermi wash will go into the soil and it cannot be collected.

📏 4.2. How Much Width Should the Bed / Kyaari Have

The width of the bed should be about 2 to 3 feet.

By keeping the width 2 or 3 feet, farmers can easily move the cow dung from both sides and it becomes easy to work. The length can be kept according to the quantity of cow dung, such as 40 feet or 50 feet.

📐 4.3. How Much Height Should the Bed / Kyaari Have

✔️ Correct Height

• 1 foot to 1.5 feet

If the bed is made too high, then the cow dung starts heating again. Because of this, the earthworms may get damaged or die.

🍯 5. Use of Gram Flour and Jaggery

🥣 5.1. Why Gram Flour and Jaggery are Added

A mixture of gram flour and jaggery is used for the growth of earthworms. This mixture should be added properly into the cow dung so that the complete bed becomes properly wet.

⚖️ 5.2. How Much Gram Flour and Jaggery Should Be Added

Around:

• 250 grams gram flour
• 1 kg jaggery
• 1 bucket water

All these should be mixed properly and added into the bed. If the quantity of cow dung is more, then the quantity may also need to be increased.

🪱 6. How Much Earthworm Should Be Added

It is told that about 6 kg earthworms should be added in around 20 to 25 dhamma / baskets of cow dung.

✔️ Benefits of Adding More Earthworms

• Manure gets ready quickly
• Earthworms eat cow dung faster
• Their waste keeps turning into manure

If 10 kg earthworms are added, then the manure may get ready in about 20 days also.

🌤️ 7. Why It is Important to Cover the Bed (Kyaari)

☀️ Protection from Sunlight is Important

Earthworms work in darkness. If direct sunlight or too much light falls on them, then the earthworms may die. That is why covering the bed is necessary.

🌾 What Things Can Be Used to Cover the Bed

The bed can be covered with these things:

• Straw
• Jute sack

✔️ Benefits of Straw

• Maintains moisture
• Creates good darkness

If needed, polythene can also be placed on the top so that sunlight does not go directly inside.

⏳ 8. How Much Time Does It Take to Prepare the Manure

If the complete process is done properly, then 100% organic vermicompost manure gets ready in about 30 to 35 days.

👨‍🌾 9. Important Suggestions for Farmers

✅ Important Things

• Do not add earthworms directly into fresh cow dung
• First cool the cow dung by adding water
• Do not make the bed too high
• Protect the bed from sunlight
• Maintain moisture properly
• Adding more earthworms helps manure get ready faster

⚠️ 10. Common Mistakes

❌ Adding Earthworms into Hot Cow Dung

Because of this, earthworms may get damaged.

❌ Making the Bed Too High

Due to more height, the cow dung may become hot again.

❌ Leaving the Bed Open in Sunlight

Due to sunlight, earthworms may get affected.

❌ Adding Less Water

If less water is added, then the gas does not come out properly.

✅ Conclusion

If the “method of making cow dung manure” is followed properly, then good organic vermicompost manure can be prepared in only 30 to 35 days.

Cooling the cow dung first, making the correct bed, adding the mixture of gram flour and jaggery, and protecting the earthworms from sunlight are the most important parts of this process.

👉 For more information on technical farming: click here

👉 Reference