Vermicompost micro units generate livelihood opportunities for rural youth in Tripura

People in rural Tripura are being encouraged to adopt vermicompost technology and set up micro units, which helps the locals generate livelihood by utilizing the available resources.

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One such vermicompost micro unit at the Bamutia Kalibazar area of Tripura was setup by two educated youth under the banner of Naogaon Bamboo Growers. They were given training and material support from the Centre for Forest Based Livelihoods and Extension (CFLE).

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Vermicompost is a simple process where special earthworms are used to turn organic wastes into high quality compost.

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The raw materials required for vermicompost are readily available in the rural areas and the process does not take much effort.

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The duo is making good profit through this business and plans to expand it on a commercial scale now.

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Bidhyadhan Sharma, one of the vermicompost producers, said that the unit is helping them to earn livelihood.

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"We got help from the Centre for Forest Based Livelihoods and Extension for starting this vermicompost unit. In our village, we can easily get a lot of waste products like cow dung and vegetable wastes, which we utilize to make this compost. The money we earn through this is benefitting us," he said.

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Supen Datta, another vermicompost producer, said that they are planning to increase the output as there is good demand for their produce.

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"We have realized that this business is very profitable and there is good demand for it in the market. In future we are planning to increase it. We have two units presently and have decided to increase it because it gives us good income," he said.

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The Centre for Forest Based Livelihoods and Extension has been working in Tripura since 2012 for forest-based livelihood development and has now developed low cost vermicompost technology.

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The primary objective of the project was to help rural youth set up micro-enterprises and also improve crop productivity by increasing soil fertility.

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The centre conducts training programmes following which they provide the members with financial help for setting up of low-cost vermicompost unit.

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Each unit can produce an approximate quantity of around 400-450 kg of vermicompost every 45-60 days.

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Regional Director of CFLE, Pawan K Kaushik, said that there is no technical complications involved in setting up a vermicompost unit.

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"The farmers consider it an easy activity where they use their own resources, all household wastes. The villagers find it comfortable. There is no technical complication. We have also developed market linkage for their product," he said.

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A number of such training programmes are being conducted to empower the youth in the northeast and help them earn a livelihood.

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Many youth in the region are now taking up self-help ventures through which they have succeeded in transforming their lives.