Development of African Night Crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) Agribusiness: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v11i5.11037Published:
2025-05-25Issue:
Vol. 11 No. 5 (2025): MayKeywords:
Agribusiness, ANC earthworm, Strategy, SustainabilityResearch Articles
Downloads
How to Cite
Downloads
Metrics
Abstract
This study, conducted at CV Rumah Alam Jaya in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, aims to explore the potential and challenges of African Night Crawler (ANC) earthworm agribusiness and to formulate sustainable development strategies. Using a mixed-methods case study approach, data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), semi-structured interviews, and structured questionnaires (quantitative Likert-scale). Ten FGD participants included worm farmers, extension agents, agribusiness practitioners, and local government officials selected based on their direct involvement in worm agribusiness activities. SWOT factors were identified through thematic analysis of qualitative data, while weights and ratings were derived from FGDs and expert interviews. The analysis places ANC agribusiness in the Growth/Expansion quadrant, supported by easy-to-apply cultivation techniques, strong market potential, and availability of low-cost organic feed. However, it faces internal weaknesses (such as pest vulnerability, limited consumer awareness) and external threats (such as market competition, regulatory constraints). Based on these findings, four integrated strategies are proposed: (1) implementing IoT-based moisture and temperature monitoring, (2) adopting multi-tier rack systems to optimize space use, (3) expanding market access via digital platforms such as Shopee and Tokopedia, and (4) strengthening institutional collaboration and farmer training to improve business sustainability and resilience.
References
Amruddin, A. (2025). Science Applied in Agricultural Modernization and Poverty in Suburban Villages. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 11(3), 837–843. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i3.10603
Anusha, M., Preethee, S., Saminathan, K., Kathireswari, P., & Arunmetha, S. (2023). Vermi degradation of different dietary supplements mediated on the reproduction and metabolic profile of earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 15(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb15411638
Anwar, Y., Jatsiyah, V., M. Zahari, Saefudin, A., & Nofirman, N. (2023). Transforming Traditional Farmers into Professionals: An Introduction to Human Resource Management in Rural. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(12), 12266–12275. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i12.6543
Argyroudis, S. A., Mitoulis, S. A., Chatzi, E., Baker, J. W., Brilakis, I., Gkoumas, K., Vousdoukas, M., Hynes, W., Carluccio, S., Keou, O., Frangopol, D. M., & Linkov, I. (2022). Digital technologies can enhance climate resilience of critical infrastructure. Climate Risk Management, 35, 100387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2021.100387
Baylon, N., & Catian, I. (2019). Population Growth rate of African Night (Eudrilus eugeniae) Crawler Fed with Different Leguminous Leaves as Supplement. Philippine Journal of Agricultural Economics, 3(1), 52–64. https://doi.org/10.7719/pjae.v3i1.671
Bellitürk, K., & Sundari, R. S. (2024). The power of earthworm: vermicompost drives to sustainable agriculture. In Earthworm Technology in Organic Waste Management (pp. 307–321). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-16050-9.00018-9
Blakemore, R. J. (2015). Eco-taxonomic profile of an iconic vermicomposter—the ‘African nightcrawler’ earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg, 1867). African Invertebrates, 56(3), 527–548. https://doi.org/10.5733/afin.056.0302
Brenya, R., Akomea-Frimpong, I., Ofosu, D., & Adeabah, D. (2023). Barriers to sustainable agribusiness: a systematic review and conceptual framework. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 13(4), 570–589. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-08-2021-0191
Calzada, I. (2023). Smart Rural Communities: Action Research in Colombia and Mozambique. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(12), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129521
Chaudhuri, P. (2019). Earthworm Technology---A Promising Tool for Second Green Revolution. In A. S. Kalamdhad, J. Singh, & K. Dhamodharan (Eds.), Advances in Waste Management (pp. 1–15). Springer Singapore.
Dini, I. R., Saputra, R., Hapsoh, H., Salbiah, D., Yoseva, S., & Masjudi, H. (2024). Assistance for Oyster Mushroom Entrepreneurs in Making Fish Feed Formulations for African Night Crawler Worm (ANC) and Trichoderma sp. Fermented Bran. Journal of Saintech Transfer, 6(2), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.32734/jst.v6i2.10223
Dissanayaka, D. M. N. S., Udumann, S. S., & Atapattu, A. J. (2024). Synergies Between Tree Crops and Ecosystems in Tropical Agroforestry. In Agroforestry (pp. 49–87). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394231164.ch3
Febrianti, T., Rahmawati, F., Mukhlis, M., & Suryana, D. (2024). Socio-Economic Factors Influencing the Adoption of Integrated Crop Management Technology in Rice For Sustainable Agribusiness Development. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(8), 5984–5991. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i8.8123
Handini, W., Widanti, N., Lestari, S. W., Haqq, A. R., & Hafizh, A. (2024). Prototype Design of Micro Hydro Power Plant with Utilization of Irrigation Water in Rice Fields Based on IoT. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(9), 7144–7150. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i9.8553
Idris, A. P. (2024). Substitution of Fish Meal and Worm Meal African Night Crawler on the Physical Quality of Fish Feed. International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research, 03(03), 204–210. https://doi.org/10.55677/ijlsar/v03i3y2024-12
Kabi, F., Kayima, D., Kigozi, A., Mpingirika, E. Z., Kayiwa, R., & Okello, D. (2018). Effect of Different Organic Substrates on Reproductive Biology, Growth and Offtake of the African Night Crawler Earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae). In Ecological and Organic Agriculture Strategies for Viable Continental and National Development in the Context of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (pp. 37–42). Retrieved from https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/33629/
Kamar Zaman, A. M., & Yaacob, J. S. (2022). Exploring the potential of vermicompost as a sustainable strategy in circular economy: improving plants’ bioactive properties and boosting agricultural yield and quality. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(9), 12948–12964. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18006-z
Kavitha, P. (2023). Vermicomposting: A Leading Feasible Entrepreneurship. In Agricultural Microbiology Based Entrepreneurship : Making Money from Microbes (pp. 289–306). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5747-5_18
Khan, F. A., Tomar, A., Agarwal, Y. K., & Shukla, H. O. (2020). Agricultural Solid Waste Management: An Approach to Protect the Environment and Increase Agricultural Productivity. In Handbook of Solid Waste Management: Sustainability through Circular Economy (pp. 1–27). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7525-9_28-1
Le, T. M. T., Hoang, D. A., Nguyen, H. P., Trinh, V. Van, Tran, T. H., Dang, T. M. A., & Ha, T. Q. (2020). Using cassava waste of the cassava starch processing as food for raising African Nightcrawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) to obtain vermicomposting and earthworm biomass. Journal of Vietnamese Environment, 12(2), 169–176. https://doi.org/10.13141/jve.vol12.no2.pp169-176
Macabuhay, M. A. A., Abellera, M. T. R., & Ticsay, A. E. (2016). Development of an automated production of african night Crawler’s vermicast with android application. Lecture Notes in Engineering and Computer Science, 2223, 363–368. Retrieved from https://www.iaeng.org/publication/WCE2016/WCE2016_pp363-368.pdf
Morepje, M. T., Sithole, M. Z., Msweli, N. S., & Agholor, A. I. (2024). The Influence of E-Commerce Platforms on Sustainable Agriculture Practices among Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Sustainability (Vol. 16, Issue 15). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156496
Muala, B., Antara, M., & Laapo, A. (2024). Sustainability Strategy for Organic Development in Banggai Regency. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(11), 9242–9256. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i11.9387
Munz, J., & Schuele, H. (2022). Influencing the Success of Precision Farming Technology Adoption—A Model-Based Investigation of Economic Success Factors in Small-Scale Agriculture. In Agriculture (Vol. 12, Issue 11). https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111773
Nha Trang, N. T., Nguyen, T.-T., Pham, H. V, Anh Cao, T. T., Trinh Thi, T. H., & Shahreki, J. (2022). Impacts of Collaborative Partnership on the Performance of Cold Supply Chains of Agriculture and Foods: Literature Review. In Sustainability (Vol. 14, Issue 11). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116462
Plaas, E., Meyer-Wolfarth, F., Banse, M., Bengtsson, J., Bergmann, H., Faber, J., Potthoff, M., Runge, T., Schrader, S., & Taylor, A. (2019). Towards valuation of biodiversity in agricultural soils: A case for earthworms. Ecological Economics, 159, 291–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.02.003
Ponsen, S., Wongchantra, P., & Aengwanich, W. (2023). The influence of ambient temperature and polyphenols from plant leaves on growth and the response to oxidative and nitrosative stress in African nightcrawler earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg, 1867). International Journal of Biometeorology, 67(4), 705–716. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02448-w
Purnama, S. M., Mulyadi, F., Inggrida, J. A., Purwanto, E., Nadhirah, A., & Islamy, R. A. (2023). Factors that Affect the Income Generation of Organic Rice Farmers in The Village of Pagung. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(8), 6028–6034. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i8.4896
Rasyid, I., Wirawan, I., & Sirajuddin, S. N. (2024). Accessibility of Sustainable Beef Cattle Business Development in Mattiro Bulu District, Pinrang Regency. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(6), 7688–7695. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i10.9083
Rohani, S., Nurlaelah, S., Sirajuddin, S. N., & Syarif, I. (2024). Internal and External Factors in Developing Farmer Businesses in Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi Province , Indonesia ( Case Study ). Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(12), 10386–10393. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i12.9116
Rosada, I., Rasyid, R., Amran, F. D., & Sirajuddin, S. N. (2024). Effectiveness of the role of agricultural extension workers in clove cultivation in Enrekang Regency (Case study in Buntu Barana Village, Curio District, Enrekang Regency). Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(11), 8837–8846. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i11.9074
Sherman, R. (2018). The Worm Farmer’s Handbook: Mid- to Large-Scale Vermicomposting for Farms, Businesses, Municipalities, Schools, and Institutions. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Sholikin, M., Batoro, J., Anggayasti, W. L., & Pertiwi, M. (2024). Cattle Waste Management Strategy for Environmental Health in Pucangarum Village, Baureno District, Bojonegoro Regency. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(5), 2727–2735. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i5.6739
Stacchini, A., Guizzardi, A., & Mariotti, A. (2022). Smoothing down arbitrariness in planning: From SWOT to participatory decision making. Land Use Policy, 119, 106213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2022.106213
Steckley, J. (2022). Nightcrawler commodities: A brief history on the commodification of the humble dew worm. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 5(3), 1361–1382. https://doi.org/10.1177/25148486211031341
Strijker, D., Bosworth, G., & Bouter, G. (2020). Research methods in rural studies: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Journal of Rural Studies, 78, 262–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.06.007
Sun, M., Chao, H., Zheng, X., Deng, S., Ye, M., & Hu, F. (2020). Ecological role of earthworm intestinal bacteria in terrestrial environments: A review. Science of The Total Environment, 740, 140008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140008
Suranto, S., & Pratiwi, A. (2023). Empowerment Model to Enhance Food Self-Sufficiency at Mushroom Industry Center. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(SpecialIssue), 525–532. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9ispecialissue.5629
Tekle, A., Areaya, S., & Habtamu, G. (2024). Enhancing Stakeholders’ Engagement in TVET Policy and Strategy Development in Ethiopia. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 16(1), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2024.16.01.019
Tyagi, K. S., Singh, D. P., & Gupta, R. K. (2023). Rural Entrepreneurship through Vermicomposting – Case Studies. Dev Sanskriti Interdisciplinary International Journal, 22(c), 06–11. https://doi.org/10.36018/dsiij.22.239
Wang, X.-M., Fan, S.-C., Chen, Y., Ma, X.-F., & He, R.-Q. (2019). Earthworm protease in anti-thrombosis and anti-fibrosis. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, 1863(2), 379–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.11.006
Zarafshani, K., Sahraee, M., & Helms, M. (2015). Strategic Potential of the Vermicompost Agribusiness in Iran: A SWOT Analysis TT -. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 17(6), 1393–1408. Retrieved from http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-12285-en.html
Author Biographies
Nina Lisanty, Universitas Kadiri
Rasyadan Taufiq Probojati, Universitas Kadiri
Taufan Achmad Gozali Yusuf, Universitas Kadiri
Kharisma Satria Pamungkas, Universitas Kadiri
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nina Lisanty, Rasyadan Taufiq Probojati, Taufan Achmad Gozali Yusuf, Kharisma Satria Pamungkas

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).