Salah Al-Din farmer turns to organic worm farming to produce fertilizer

SALAH AL-DIN — Haider Suleiman has been working tirelessly in his orchard in Salah Al-Din’s Balad, from dawn to dusk, cultivating organic worms to produce fertilizer. These worms, raised in animal manure, help eliminate fungi, producing a natural fertilizer that Haider filters using a specialized machine before packaging it in small bags as per customer demand.

The idea of raising the red worms came to Haider out of necessity. He needed organic fertilizer for his orchard to avoid chemical fertilizers, which he says harm the environment and crops.

“I have been raising organic worms since 2019, especially under deciduous trees like grapevines,” Haider told 964media. “These worms require special environments to live and reproduce continuously. They eliminate fungi in the manure, preparing it for sale.”

Despite relying on simple tools, Haider has developed a thriving business over the past five years. “The work is very demanding, but my experience has helped me succeed,” he said. “I now sell organic fertilizer by the ton, making it a primary source of income.”

Haider sells the fertilizer at a fixed price of 500 Iraqi dinars ($0.3) per kilogram and 500,000 dinars ($332) per ton. The product has gained popularity among nursery owners and farmers. The worms feed on organic waste and mold, converting it into beneficial material, and also thrive on tree leaves.

However, he faces challenges, particularly high summer temperatures that reduce worm reproduction rates by up to 60%. “I haven’t found a solution to this yet, but I keep trying,” he added.