Home ›› 12 Nov 2021 ›› Nation
Vermicomposting, the natural process of converting organic waste into fertiliser using earthworms, has gained popularity among farmers in Baralekha of Moulvibazar by providing them with an additional source of income.
Baralekha Agriculture Office Agriculturist Debal Sarkar told The Business Post that the upazila produces around 50 tonnes of vermicompost annually.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources say farmers use the fertiliser made through vermicomposting to produce and sell a variety of crops and vegetables such as cabbages, cauliflowers and tomatoes.
Farmers also sell any excess fertiliser at the market, making an additional Tk 20,000 – Tk 25,000 per year, they said.
To produce this fertiliser, farmers dump plants, tree leaves, and cow dung in a big hole in the ground, and allow the organic waste to decompose for 20 to 25 days. It is then fed to earthworms. Their excrement can be used as a very effective fertiliser.
Saleha Begum in Gangkul village of the upazila started vermicomposting in 2019 after receiving training from the upazila agriculture office. She is now turning a profit with minimal effort. Similar to her, many farmers in the area are becoming interested in fertiliser production.
The whole village has now started producing vermicompost on a commercial basis.
Sharing her experience, Saleha Begum said, “I started producing vermicompost after getting four rings and earthworms with training from the agriculture office. I use the fertiliser in my own land, and also make a profit by selling extra fertiliser.
“Encouraged by my success, many people in the area became interested in producing the fertiliser. They bought the ring at their own expense and I helped them with worms. At present, 20 farmers in Gangkul village are producing earthworm manure with more than 100 rings.”
Dilara Begum of the same village said, “When I saw Saleha producing fertiliser at a low cost, I became interested. I learned about the process from her and began my own production.
“Now I am producing pesticide-free crops using this fertiliser, and earning Tk 20,000 – Tk 25,000 per year by selling additional fertiliser in the local market.”
Farmer Asma Begum said, “I do not throw away vegetable waste. I put it in a hole, along with a mix of water hyacinths, banana tree and dung. Then I release the earthworm so that they can start eating the waste.”
Samad Mian, a farmer of the village, said he had been producing vermicompost fertiliser in four rings for his crops for the last two years.
“I have bought 20 rings so far to produce the fertiliser commercially, inspired by agriculture officers. After seeing its profitability, even many educated people are engaging in vermicomposting,” he added.
Liza Akhtar, a farmer of the village, said the fertiliser can be produced at a very low cost and sold in the local market for Tk 15 per kg. “I will be able to make more profit if I could sell this fertiliser in other markets.”
Monowara Begum, president of Gangkul Mahila CIG Cooperative Society, said, “We had initially started producing vermicompost fertiliser on a limited scale. The department of agriculture saw our work and formed a CIG committee with 20 women in the village.
“At present, there are 20 members of this association and every one of them produces fertiliser. With the help of the members we can save some money. Now, we are depositing money in Pubali Bank.”
Deputy Director of DAE Shamim Mia said the department is encouraging farmers to make fertiliser as it increases crop yield. “Trained farmers are making the fertiliser commercially, and the quality is perfect,” she added.
