10.57647/ijrowa-2026-17444

Vermicomposting for sustainable soil health in sub-Saharan Africa focusing on Ethiopia: opportunities, adoption barriers, and policy pathways

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  • Zerihun Getachew Gebrehana*1,
  • Mesfin T. Gebremikael2,
  • Sheleme Beyene3,
  • Wim M.L. Wesemael4,5,
  • Stefaan De Neve6,
  1. Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture Research, P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  2. Department of food science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
  3. School of Plant and Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia
  4. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Burg Van Gansberghelaan 96, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
  5. Laboratory for Agrozoology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  6. Research group Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links, 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Vermicomposting for sustainable soil health in sub-Saharan Africa focusing on Ethiopia: opportunities, adoption barriers, and policy pathways

Received: 2025-01-13

Revised: 2025-03-26

Accepted: 2025-08-31

Published in Issue 2025-09-07

Copyright (c) -1 Zerihun Getachew Gebrehana, Mesfin T. Gebremikael, Sheleme Beyene, Wim M.L. Wesemael, Stefaan De Neve (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Gebrehana, Z. G., Gebremikael, M. T., Beyene, S., Wesemael, W. M., & De Neve, S. (2025). Vermicomposting for sustainable soil health in sub-Saharan Africa focusing on Ethiopia: opportunities, adoption barriers, and policy pathways. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa-2026-17444
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Abstract

Purpose: Soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) threatens smallholder farming sustainability. Vermicomposting, using earthworms to convert agricultural waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, has emerged as a promising solution.

Method: This review synthesizes 86 studies to analyse vermicomposting's impacts on soil and plant health, and alignment with regenerative agriculture and circular economy principles.

Results: The bio-conversion process through vermicomposting aligns with principles of regenerative agriculture and the circular economy by recycling agricultural waste into valuable soil improvers, thereby reducing landfill usage and mitigating environmental pollution. The review highlights the role of earthworms and microorganisms in stabilizing organic waste, improving nutrient profiles, and enhancing the biological activity of vermicompost. Additionally, it examines the mechanisms by which vermicompost amendments suppress plant diseases and pests, ultimately supporting sustainable farming practices. While vermicomposting offers substantial environmental and agricultural benefits, these outcomes depend on process optimization and local adaptation. Key knowledge gaps and barriers to adoption in SSA are identified, emphasizing the need for policy interventions.

Conclusion: Vermicomposting is a sustainable and practical approach to transforming agricultural waste into high-quality organic manure, with profound implications for improving soil health and fostering smallholder farming resilience in SSA particularly Ethiopia. Integrating vermicomposting into national soil health and waste management strategies, including subsidy programs, can scale its adoption.

Highlights

  • Transformation of available organic waste into soil improvers for healthier soils is needed
  • Vermicomposting becomes a strategy to recycle agricultural waste into safe fertilizer in smallholders
  • Vermicomposting's benefits rely on process optimization and local adaptation.
  • Vermicomposting promotes a circular economy and regenerative agriculture
  • Vermicomposting technology adoption is crucial in SSA smallholders through knowledge creation

Keywords

  • Soil health,
  • Agricultural waste management,
  • Valorization,
  • Earthworms,
  • Regenerative agriculture
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