This investment is investigating the use of commercial-scale vermiculture in the Australian vegetable industry to improve productivity (with vermiculture the cultivation of earthworms to convert organic waste into compost and/or for direct soil integration and management). Its end-goal is to develop guidelines for the use of vermiculture as part of soil and nutrient management, and provide a cost/benefit analysis to help growers decide whether to adopt the approach.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund