The red worm, scientifically classified as Eisenia Foetida, is categorised
as an epigeic earthworm (Gajalakshmi and Abbasi, 2004:
489; Niir Board of Consultants and Engineers, 2004: 6). Anecic and
endogeic earthworms contribute largely to the structure of the soil
which is beneficial for plant life; however, epigeic earthworms
concentrate solely on transforming organic waste into compost
(Gajalakshmi and Abbasi, 2004: 489; Niir Board of Consultants and
Engineers, 2004: 1). A single red worm is capable of consuming
its own weight in organic waste daily, which means that an earthworm
farm maintained in a controlled environment will require
a constant supply of organic waste to feed the earthworms (Niir
Board of Consultants and Engineers, 2004: 9).