Raising earthworms is a very useful activity for gardeners: it transforms plant residues into fertile humus. but on a larger scale, worm farming can also become a source of income, become a full-time job or a supplementary income.
What makes this activity interesting in the first place are the very low start-up costs : With a very low investment and without special tools and structures, it is possible to embark on the production of humus and become vermiculturists.
Today, many people want to return to the land and we hear more and more about the opportunities that agriculture can offer to young and old. However, we must always bear in mind that worm farming, like any agricultural work, requires effort and is certainly not a suitable job for those who want to earn money without doing anything. However, a well-managed worm farm can be profitable, generating a return on investment and dedicated effort.
Although it is not particularly difficult work, breeding requires perseverance and a series of daily precautions. For this reason, advice to those considering getting started should first be taken by an experienced and knowledgeable person. While writing this article, we asked the technical support of Lombricoltura Compagnoni, if you need advice, you can possibly contact them for further discussion.
To begin to get an idea, it can be useful to describe the costs and the potential income that an earthworm farm is able to generate. Obviously, the following figures are approximate, because each situation has its own peculiarities. To undertake the activity seriously, it will be necessary to make a real business plan with a more precise forecast of profits and investments.
Worm costs
The cost of an earthworm farm is divided between the initial capital expenditure, mainly due to the purchase of the starting worms, and the management expenditure, which is very low and limited to small incidental costs.
Initial investment
The initial cost of starting earthworm farming is certainly not insurmountable: the beauty of earthworms is that they will settle in any type of terrain and are good at outdoor in all seasons, so they do not need buildings. Even the produced humus can be stored outside without fear. To start, therefore, agricultural land is needed, which can be owned, loaned or rented. In the latter case, it is therefore necessary to enter the rental amount as the first cost item, because it should not be a high cost of the space.
Unlike raising animals such as chickens or sheep in the case of earthworms, no special facilities or permissions are required. From the point of view of tools, very simple things are needed: like a shovel and a wheelbarrow, so the expense will also be contained there. The investment focuses in particular in the purchase of earthworms, which can cost around 20 euros per kilo and are the productive engine of the activity.
The initial investment depends on the size of the plant you want to plant, for example: with 100/300 euros you can start raising worms for leisure and self-consumption in the garden, while for a low-income plant you will need about 1000/3000 euros. The cost of one square meter of waste (about 50,000 earthworms) is about 150 euros.
activity costs
As the worms feed on waste, the cost of a worm farming business is negligible and there is no charge for the feed. The expenses of our agricultural budget will be reduced to small incidental expenses and ordinary operating costs because there is no food to buy for the maintenance of the worms, only the water bill to pay, more any agricultural rent.
Absinthe World Archives
Raising earthworms can make money in three ways: by selling humus, by selling earthworms, or by processing and disposing of organic waste. The good thing is that these three profitable activities are not excluded and can even coexist in the company, guaranteeing a good economic result.
Income generated by man
Worm humus is a soil amendment authorized in organic farming, useful for all crops and also excellent as a soil for pots and nurseries. Given its usefulness, it can be sold at a good price and is a product in great demand by those who grow it. The sale of humus allows higher incomes if it can reach the end customer. Especially hobbyists who use it in small quantities are willing to pay a higher price, whereas logically if you sell it in bulk the profit goes down. On the other hand, it is difficult to find many small customers, while it is easier to use those who collect large amounts.
For calculate plant performance It should be considered that each square meter of litter produces about 4/5 quintals of humus per year, working with about 10 quintals of waste. To give you an idea of the possible profits, here are some figures: humus can be sold for around 50/60 euros per quintal in detail, roughly we are talking about around 20/30 euros per quintal.
Income from the sale of earthworms
Earthworms, especially the California red, are extremely prolific and hardy animals. This means that the beds will not only produce humus but will generate an increasing number of earthworms. Earthworms can be sold to other growers or farmers, but can also be used as animal feed or fish bait. This will be another important source of income for our worm farm. One square meter of rubbish produces around 1 kg of earthworms, which can be sold for around €20/kg.
Waste
Since earthworms process waste such as animal manure and vegetable waste, it is also possible to earn money by getting rid of these substances. This adds an additional source of income and greatly increases the income of our worm farm.
Summary: some figures
For each square meter of waste, we can indicate the following indicative costs and revenues:
- cost of purchase : about 150 euros (initial investment only the first year).
- Yield on humus : 4/5 quintals per year. Assuming that we produce 4 quintals, we can expect 80/120 euros in wholesale income or 200/240 euros if we can sell directly.
- Worm yield : 12 kg per year, with a market value of around 240 euros.
- Potential revenue from waste disposal they are too variable to be calculated without going into the specificity of each situation.