A farmer in Pirojpur is revolutionising agriculture with vermicompost or earthworm manure production.
Badrul Haider Bepari, owner of Jago Agro Solution, has received national recognition for his work in producing and promoting vermicompost, which plays a significant role in protecting soil health.
The entrepreneur’s vermicomposting journey in late 2012, after reading a report on the topic in a newspaper. He began with just 2 kg of earthworms, but his business has since grown significantly.
Currently, Jago Agro Solution produces and sells 150 tonnes of vermicompost annually, earning Tk 5 to 6 lakh. Per sack of vermicompost sells for Tk 750-800.
Badrul’s vermicompost trade is not only profitable but also environmentally friendly. Vermicompost is an organic fertiliser that helps to improve soil fertility and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers. It is also a good source of nutrients for plants, which can lead to increased crop yields.
His success has inspired other farmers in Pirojpur to adopt vermicomposting. He is now working with the Pirojpur Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) to promote vermicomposting to farmers across the country.
There are currently 5 female permanent employees and 3 male temporary employees. The farm has also created employment opportunities for local cattle farmers, who sell manure to the farm.
A local cattle farmer, Alo Rani Mistri said that she earns pocket money from selling manure to the farm, which benefits her.
Badrul’s vermicompost farm has been recognised for its contributions to sustainable agriculture and rural development. In 2020, he received the Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award from the Ministry of Agriculture. He has also received various awards from the district DAE and other government-private organisations.
Badrul’s work is a shining example of how innovative farmers can use sustainable methods to improve agriculture and protect the environment.
Pirojpur DAE Deputy Director Dr Nazrul Islam Shikdar said, "It is essential to have 5 per cent organic matter in the soil to maintain health. But our country does not have that much organic matter in the soil of agricultural land. Vermicompost or earthworm manure, which has done significant work in protecting soil health all over the country including Pirojpur, can revolutionise agriculture with government support."
He further said, “Badrul Haider Bepari from Pirojpur district received an award from the Agriculture Minister in 2020 as an AIP. We are providing incentives to vermicompost producers through various projects from the department. Vermicompost or earthworm manure must be converted into an industry in the interest of agricultural development, social development, and socio-economic development of farmers.”
The DAE provides incentives to vermicompost producers through various projects and promotes the use of vermicompost among farmers and gardeners.
Vermicompost Production Process
Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser that is produced by the decomposition of organic matter by earthworms. It is a valuable tool for farmers and gardeners, as it helps to improve soil fertility, increase crop yields, and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers.
The production process at Jago Agro Solution begins with the collection of manure from local cattle farmers. The manure is then dried in the sun and broken to remove gas. After 10-12 days, the manure is covered with banana trees or water hyacinth pieces. The earthworms start working on producing manure in it. After one and a half to two months, the net method is used to remove the earthworms from there. After purification in a sieve, the manure is marketed after packaging.
According to farmworker Tripti Mistri, earthworm eggs can be found around the month of Kartik every year.
“If we keep the manure in the ball trap for a long time, the baby earthworms hatch after a while and we put them down in the shed. There we give them manure as food and cover it with water hyacinth or banana tree pieces. The manure they excrete after eating that food is what we sell as earthworm manure in the market.”
In response to a question she said, “I have been working on the farm for about eight years. The money I earn from here meets the household expenses and children's education expenses.”
Mukul Rani Mali is an elderly worker working at Badrul's farm for eight years at a salary of Tk 9,000. She helps the earthworms to produce manure and is involved in various works including production, packing and sales.
The owner of Jago Agro Solution, Badrul Haider Bepari, said, “Vermicompost is now a popular organic fertiliser and a potential business sector. Both men and women work on my farm. Women workers mainly work inside the farm, while men workers collect raw manure, banana trees and water hyacinths from distant places and neighbouring villages.”
In response to a question, he said, “We produce and market 13 to 14 tonnes of manure per month from our farm, which is located on 6 decimals of land. The main thing that works in manure production is the excretion of earthworms. When earthworms eat cow dung, they finish about 95% of it and then a granular manure like tea leaves is formed.”
