Use of vermicompost and vermiwash to produce bagged rubber plants in nurseries: A profitable technique in Côte d’Ivoire

The profitability of using vermicompost and vermiwash made from poultry droppings in rubber tree nurseries was evaluated in Côte d'Ivoire as part of the project ‘’ Organic waste recycling in rubber tree nurseries by vermitechnology ‘’. The experimental design used for the demonstration test comprises three treatments (vermicompost-VC, vermiwash-VW and farmer practice-Control T) carried out at the Research Station (CNRA/Bimbresso) and at rubber tree nurseries in Abengourou, Alépé and Daoukro. The Cost-Benefit analysis revealed that the use of VW treatment is more profitable. For every 100 F CFA invested, the gain varied from 42 to 70 F CFA. The benefits of VW ranged from 7,525,556 to 7,977,667 F CFA/ha/year. Profits from VW ranged from 7,525,556 to 7,977,667 F CFA/ha/year. The VC was profitable only in the Station (4,984,484 F CFA/ha/year), which may reflect the nurserymen's lack of knowledge of this technology. Training in the production of vermiwash and vermicompost from poultry droppings should be reinforced for rubber tree nursery producers in Côte d'Ivoire.