Experienced farmers will confirm that the hardest workers on the farm are not human but earthworms. Earth worms might seem small and insignificant, but their impact on soil health is extraordinary. Often referred to as “nature’s free soil farmers,” earthworms play a critical role in maintaining fertile productive land.

What Do Earthworms Do?

Earthworms possess an incredible ability to transform soil into a thriving ecosystem. Here is how they contribute to healthier soils and better crops:

1. Aerate the Soil:
   As earthworms make holes through the ground, they create tunnels that allow water and air to penetrate deep into the soil. This improves drainage, reduces compaction and ensures roots can grow freely.
2. Mix Organic Matter with Soil:
   Earthworms feed on organic material like dead leaves, plant debris and manure. They drag this material into the soil, mixing it with mineral particles to enrich the earth from within.
3. Enhance Nutrient Availability:
   When earthworms digest organic matter, they excrete nutrient-rich waste that act as natural fertilisers. This waste contains essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which plants need to thrive.
4. Improve Soil Structure:
   The tunnels created by earthworms help bind soil particles together, creating stable aggregates that resist erosion and improve overall soil structure.

Why Are Earthworms Important for Farmers?

For farmers, especially those practicing sustainable agriculture, earthworms are invaluable assets. Here’s why:

• Boost Crop Yields: By improving soil fertility and structure, earthworms create optimal conditions for crops to flourish, leading to higher yields.
• Reduce Input Costs: With earthworms naturally enriching the soil, farmers can rely less on chemical fertilisers and pesticides, saving money while protecting the environment.
• Promote Sustainability: Earthworms play a key role in building resilient soils that can withstand climate extremes, ensuring long-term productivity.

How Can You Encourage Earthworm Populations on Your Farm?

To harness the full potential of earthworms, here are some practical tips:

1. Add Organic Matter:
   Provide earthworms with plenty of food by incorporating mulch, compost and cover crops into your soil. Organic matter fuels their activity and keeps them thriving.
2. Minimize Tillage:
   Excessive tilling disrupts earthworm tunnels and can harm populations. Adopt conservation tillage practices to preserve their habitat.
3. Avoid Chemicals:
   Many synthetic pesticides and herbicides are toxic to earthworms. Adopting organic alternatives or integrated pest management strategies can keep your soil safe.
4. Maintain Moisture Levels:
   Earthworms thrive in moist environments. Ensure your soil retains adequate moisture without becoming waterlogged.

Earthworms may be small, but their influence on soil health is immense. By fostering conditions that support these industrious creatures, farmers can unlock the true potential of their land.

Download the free knowledge product “Soil Organisms: Living Things in the Soil That Make Soil Strong” developed by the Namibian Organic Association & Namibia Nature Foundation.

Author: Rabecca Mwila

Rabecca Mwila is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. With a background in climate change and communications, she has spent years telling the untold stories of the realities of climate change, environmental and climate injustices and how they affect vulnerable communities in Africa and beyond.