Farmer earns Rs. 2 million annually from vermicompost sale

By Our Correspondent,Nepalgunj, Mar. 10:A farmer in Banke district, which faces a shortage of manure during the farming season, has been producing and selling vermicompost worth Rs. 2 million annually.

Bir Bahadur Hamal of Tejnagar, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-18, has set an example of how significant economic success can be achieved with minimal investment, maximum use of local resources and continuous hard work.

He said that he has rented four katthas of land in Nepalgunj-18 and produces vermicompost through 60 beds, selling fertiliser worth around Rs. 2 million annually.

Hamal has been active in the production of vermicompost manure by operating 'Everest Organic Agro Farm' for the past 12 years.

He said that he has been purchasing 18 to 20 trolleys of cow dung at a time and producing about 12 quintals of vermicompost manure per trolley.

He said, “From the dung purchased once, fertiliser can be produced up to four times. This helps reduce costs and increase income.”

According to Hamal, vermicompost manure is highly effective in improving soil fertility, balancing plant growth, and contributing to environmental protection. Because of these benefits, its demand has been increasing, he informed.

He said that cow dung, straw, weeds, and organic materials available in the yard are used for vermicompost production, and that organic fertiliser is being prepared using a special breed of earthworm.

Local farmers have also said that the demand for fertiliser has increased as the use of organic fertiliser is increasing as an alternative to chemical fertilisers. 

Dinesh Maurya, a farmer from Duduwa-4 of Banke, said that they have started using vermicompost manure in farming as the shortage of chemical fertilisers is increasing every year.

According to Hamal, there is great potential to make youths self-reliant within the country through agriculture instead of seeking foreign employment.

He added, “If we emphasise on organic fertiliser production using local resources, the youth will not have to go abroad. If we make the agricultural sector modern and professional, we can earn good income here.”

Hamal said that the produced fertiliser is supplied more, especially to the Himalayan districts. 

He said that it is being used more in apple trees and vegetable crops.

It is reported that the market for vermicompost manure is expanding in the region as farmers in the Himalayan region are looking for more quality organic fertiliser.