To cut his reliance on chemical fertiliser and keep his soil fertile, Saju Mondol, a 45-year-old farmer from Mondolpara in Dudhkhaowa mouza of Rajarhat Sadar union, Kurigram, has been making vermicompost with red earthworms for about four years. Having seen the benefit on his own land, he now wants to produce more and sell it, Agricare24 reports, citing the Daily Jugantor.
He began as an experiment about four years ago, with little knowledge of raising worms, feeding them, processing organic material or making compost, and became skilled through his own interest and effort. Red-worm compost raises soil fertility and keeps yields up, he says, and he has seen the results on his fields.
Saju expects to produce about 12 maunds of compost this year. With training, technical help and government support he wants to produce and sell it commercially, which he hopes will spread the use of organic fertiliser and bring his family extra income. Local farmer Alamin Mia says he used the compost, got a good yield, and wants to make his own.
Rajarhat upazila agriculture officer Tushar Kanti Roy says vermicompost use must grow to cut dependence on chemical fertiliser and build sustainable farming, as it raises fertility and protects soil health. Because worms are living animals, their survival, breeding and feeding depend on temperature and moisture, so the right conditions are essential. The Department of Agricultural Extension will give Saju the support he needs, he said.
Photo: Wormvns / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Agricare24
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