The practice of vermiculture is at least a century old and is experiencing a revival worldwide.

Vermiculture is being used for waste management, soil detoxification and regeneration, and sustainable agriculture. Earthworms act in the soil as aerators, grinders, crushers, chemical degraders and biological stimulators. They secrete enzymes, proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases and chitinases which bring about rapid biochemical conversion of the cellulosic and the proteinaceous materials in the variety of organic wastes which originate from homes, gardens, dairies and farms.

The earthworms take over both the roles of turning and maintaining the material in an aerobic condition, thereby reducing the need for mechanical operations. In addition, the product is homogenous.

The process is odour free because earthworms release coelomic fluids in the decaying waste biomass which has anti-bacterial properties which kills pathogens.

Earthworm action enhances natural biodegradation and decomposition of wastes (60–80 % under optimum conditions), and consequently significantly reduce the composting time. Within 5 to 6 weeks, 95–100 percent degradation of all cellulosic materials can be achieved. Even hard fruit and egg shells and bones can be degraded, although these may take longer.