In India, agriculture, like most other industries, is seen as male-dominant even though, according to various studies, over 80% of women in rural India depend on agriculture. In recent times, however, there has been a visible shift among women workers from working merely as labourers. In Assam, for example, women are increasingly turning into agripreneurs — agriculture-based entrepreneurs — to supplement family or personal income, thanks to vermicompost.
Although vermicompost is not a new or novel concept, it has gained popularity among farmers as an organic, sustainable, and pocket-friendly substitute to more expensive and conventional fertilisers. The use of vermicompost is known to improve the quality of produce, thereby allowing farmers to increase their annual or seasonal income. And this presents a wonderful opportunity to rural women, who have taken up this idea both as individuals and collectively in self-help groups.
Vermicomposting and economic independence
EastMojo’s interaction with various women who turned to vermicomposting revealed that it was not always seen as a method of supplementing family income: in some cases, it became the primary source of income. Take Kalpana Barman, for example. A resident of Sorbhog, Barpeta district, Kalpana’s life turned upside down when her husband Manik Barman, the lone breadwinner of the family, passed away. Kalpana, who had two sons, was staring at uncertainty when an acquaintance suggested she should contact Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Howly, about 20 km from Sorbhog. Soon after, she took the necessary training and started producing vermicompost.
Speaking to EastMojo, she says, “From 2011, I have been vermicomposting and it has changed my life completely. In a month, I sell about 12-13 quintals of vermicompost, which helps me earn about Rs 15,000 a month. In some months, the demand increases.”
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“Vermicompost doesn’t need much physical labour; thus, it is mostly chosen by women,” she adds.
The efforts of Kalpana, who works under the Rimjhim self-help group (SHG), were recently acknowledged by ICAR- National Rice Research Institute, Odisha. Kabita Barman, a member of Rashi Rekha SHG, also started vermicomposting in 2012 after being inspired by Kalpana.
“Vermicompost has made me self-reliant and I am now living my life on my terms. In one tank, I can vermicompost thrice, helping me produce around 12 quintals. Though in villages, the prices are low, but the income is still decent,” she says.
The impact of vermicompost is, of course, not limited to one district. Nearly 220 km from Sorbhog lies the district of Morigaon. Mohakanti Patar, a member of Shyamalee SHG in the district, has nothing but good things to say about this venture.
“Vermicompost is a profit-making business. In just one year, I have earned around Rs 50,000. With this initiative, I no longer have to depend on others; rather, I am earning a living,” she adds.
In Barak valley too, vermicompost has changed lives. “(Through vermicomposting) I am earning money and serving people without harming the environment,” states Purobi Singha of Ambikapur village of Cachar.
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At present, under Singha’s guidance, ten SHGs consisting of 10-11 women in each are making vermicompost beds.
“We are now working towards increasing the number of vermi beds. Recently, we received an order of 10 tonnes of Vermicompost from Army camp in Masimpur in Cachar district, which, I think is a great achievement,” she quips, adding, “Vermicompost is an eco-friendly, organic fertiliser. Earlier, people didn’t have much awareness about it, however, with time, it is getting popular. Before the advent of vermicompost, people used cow-dung and urea in the fields.”
Singha, along with a few other women, also opened a nursery, where they are growing various flowers using their vermicompost.
“Urea or chemical fertilisers are harmful…they affect the body slowly and severely. We are mulling to make vermicompost available so that more organic products can be grown and people remain fit and healthy after consuming the products,” she adds.
As per Singha’s observation, due to lack of adequate space in towns and cities, people are opting for kitchen gardens, where they are using vermicompost, “We are receiving great response from the people, most of the customers are from Silchar,” she says.
“Vermicompost has made women ‘atma nirbhar’ (self-reliant). In this regard, I request more women to come forward and improve their livelihoods through vermicomposting,” she concludes.
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The rise in vermicomposting is being backed by the state government and its officials too.
“Vermicompost is one of the balanced nutrients, termed as organic fertiliser containing all the nutrients required by plants. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium and copper…it is the best source of supplement to grow organic products,” Deep Goswami, an Agricultural Development Officer, tells EastMojo.
Goswami adds that there is an increasing demand for organic food, in another way the demand for vermicompost is also quite high. The young entrepreneur farmers are availing this opportunity by producing vermicompost.
“Some farmers are engaged in the preparation of tub soil which is in growing demand, especially in urban areas, for the use in roof-top gardens. Production of Vermicompost is a new opportunity for the farmers of Assam,” mentions Goswami.
Not just rural, urban spaces can benefit too
Dr Pallab Kumar Sarma, Chief Scientist at the All India Coordinated Research Project for Dry Land Agriculture, while giving a detailed explanation, told EastMojo, “Revenue generation is the main target of farmers making vermicompost. Technology is making women self-reliant and improving their lifestyle, thus, the number of vermicompost farmers is increasing day by day. In this process, money can be earned from ‘throwing away’ materials. Besides, three products are produced: vermicompost, a rich, organic fertiliser consisting of micros; vermi-wash: a liquid fertiliser; and earthworm, which are in high demand and sold at Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per kg in the market.”
Dr Sarma also points to one of the biggest reasons why many people can start this business. Vermicompost is low on investment and high on returns. It is a low-cost technology. A majority of the farmers living in the villages get their resources locally: bamboo, banana stems and other vegetable waste etc.”
Vermicompost need not be limited to rural areas too. If anything, they are even more useful in cities. They reduce municipal waste and environmental pollution and can be easily practised in the municipality areas.
“Home-makers can adopt this technology with little modification, and it will reduce the government’s burden of cleaning our towns and cities,” he suggests. Dr Sarma urges every municipality to use this technology to keep towns and cities clean and fresh.
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Thats awesome news and post. Startup helps goverments too. It shows how startup helps indian women.