Organized by:

- Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development
(Department of Science and Technology)

- Soil Ecology Laboratory
  Department of Entomology and Environmental Science
  Ohio State University

- Philippine Vermi Society

Sponsored by:

- The Worm Man
- Country Bank
- NAST
- Croplife Philippines
- PhilRice

Background:

Earthworm science and technology has expanded tremendously in the last decade. There is need for assessing the state-of-the-art of technologies for vermicompost, vermimeal, vermiceuticals particularly for developing countries where such techniques can have socioeconomic and environmental benefits.

ISWVT 2005 will bring together researchers and industry stakeholders for assessing the current status and prospects of vermi technologies in developing countries.

The active and fast-growing industry in the Philippines, along with its tropical and tourist-friendly environment, make it an appropriate venue for the first ever international symposium-workshop on vermi technologies.

Participation and Program:

Participation is open to any person or company interested. Main sessions are to be led by an international panel of speakers and a session for industry representatives will be held. An exhibition of commercial products/services and farm visits will also be conducted.

The Venue:

The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is one of the five sectoral planning councils of the Department of Science and Technology which coordinates the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development System and provides central direction for the country's aquatic and marine resources R&D. Its headquarters is located at the foot of the legendary Mt. Makiling, a national forest reserve in the "Science and Nature City" of Los Baños, Laguna about 63 Kilometers south of Manila, the Philippine Capital. Besides its natural and scenic attractions, Los Baños also hosts a number of national and international academic and research institutions in agriculture, forestry and natural resources.