**1. Introduction**

Chemical fertilizers are used for a long period for nutrient supply in soil but inadequate amount and prolonged used of these chemicals proved to be detrimental for the environment and whole of ecosystem. Beneficial soil microorganisms as well as other biota have been disturbed due to continuous applications of chemical fertilizers. Therefore the needs of environment friendly and ecologically sustainable alternative have been realized. Organic fertilizers are always considered more sustainable practice of agriculture rather than chemical fertilizers [1]. Organic fertilizers have many advantages over chemical fertilizers. The demands for food is very high in current time with rapid increase of population all over the world specially the developing countries. The non-availability of land for growing crops led to the higher demand for application of chemical fertilizers which increased the crop production to fulfill the demand. But various adversities are associated with these chemical fertilizers and have shown direct impacts on soil, water and air. The

runoff from agricultural areas caused eutrophication in nearby water bodies. The properties of soil are dramatically altered by the application of these chemicals, Rapid depletion of soil nutrients and soil water retention capacities are evident from various studies [2].

Organic farming relies on efficient utilization of local resources, and application of advanced sustainable technologies. The various management practices adopted in organic farming helps in soil improvement and better nutrient supply. The sustainable development to secure future generation is based on the concept of organic farming. Organic farming has various potential including soil fertility re-storage, sustainable agricultural produce, biodiversity mainatenance, food security and economic benefit to the marginal farmers. The research is oriented towards how organic farming is a solution to global food security and sustainable development. The international organizations are involved for policy development for cost-effective and sustainable strategies for stable food production. The major challenge is to shifting towards organic supplements and curbs the chemicals used in agriculture for a better and healthy environment [3]. Vermicomposting is a technology for the production of organic manure with the help of earthworms. Organic matters are degraded biologically resulting into a more stable compound called vermicompost rich in nutrients. There are various benefits of application of vermicompost to the soil as well as environment [4]. Various organic matters are utilized for the production of vermicompost and further research is going on to investigate the potential of various natural organic resources in the production of vermicompost [5–10]. Weeds are those unwanted plants that grow on any ecosystem disturbing the native plants and environment. Weeds which grow on land are termed as terrestrial weeds. Various management practices are adopted like mechanical, chemical, biological to remove and control these weeds in any forest or agricultural land. Terrestrial weed biomass is discarded as a waste after various management methods [11]. In the recent time utilization of terrestrial weed biomass for the production of vermicompost is documented in various researches [9, 11–14]. In the current chapter the role of organic fertilizers for sustainable development as an alternate superior solution to chemical fertilizers has been discussed. Various benefits of vermicomposting technology for the production of organic fertilizers and the potential of terrestrial weed biomass as a feedstock for the production of nutrient rich vermicompost is also illustrated.
