‘Worm tea’ farmer has plans to grow
Organic fertiliser maker needs space to expand
Nontobeko Klaas, director of Danto Greenscapes Projects, is a role model for others wanting to get involved in vermiculture – or earthworm farming.
This is an organic form of farming where crops are fertilised with earthworm “tea”.
Klaas registered her company and started to promote vermiculture elite skills in 2010, but found the going hard.
“This is not an easy sector. I started taking it seriously in 2018 after realising there was interest from government and people.
“I was always passionate about greening and the outdoor environment.
“My business deals with recycling, actually, and worm farming is part of recycling as it minimises waste,” she said.
Her company collects food and garden waste to feed the earthworms which digest cardboard, paper and most kitchen scraps, which they turn into organic compost and “worm tea”.
Klaas said she collected old bathing tubs in which she farmed her worms.
“These worms do not need a dense space, there should be spaces for air flow.
“Firstly, I put in grass, paper and tree leaves to allow air to pass through easily to keep the worms alive. I then put in the worms and add more paper and kitchen scraps with a little bit of water to keep the place moist. Then I cover it,” she said.
After three months of feeding and watering once a week, the worms change all that was used to feed them into a rich and healthy compost.
The worm tea gets drained to be tested, packaged, and sold as organic fertiliser
“While this is not an easy business, I notice that people are starting to understand it.
“I meet people who tell me they have seen it somewhere before, meaning it’s starting to register in people’s minds.
“Some people buy the products and speak highly of them when they see the results after using them.”
She said her efforts at persuading the government to take her business seriously were working.
This has led to her attending meetings where she displays her products talks about her business and promoting a green environment.
However, she needs to secure financial support for her business and a much bigger space for her worm farming.
“This is currently a smallscale farming business and my wish is to elevate it to commercial farming.
“Getting a bigger space could mean I would be playing a pivotal role in eliminating the carbon footprint that adds to climate change.”
Her long-term plan is to supply her products to retail outlets.
Her worm tea is sold in 2l and 5l containers and the organic compost is sold in small containers.
“I haven’t approached shops to sell my products yet because I might not be able to meet their requested capacity due to my lack of space for farming.”