Stories
Cow Dung to Cash: Start Vermicompost Business with Low Investment, Government Offers Subsidy.
- •Khandwa farmer Mukesh Patel earns additional income by making and selling vermicompost from cow dung.
- •Vermicompost is produced by introducing earthworms into cow dung, which gradually convert it into organic fertilizer.
- •This business can be started in villages with low initial investment and expanded over time.
- •Madhya Pradesh's agriculture department provides subsidies and financial assistance for vermicompost units to promote organic farming.
- •Training, guidance, and scheme information from the agriculture department are crucial for starting this business.
Key Questions Answered
To make vermicompost, cow dung is collected in one place and native earthworms are released into it. The mixture is covered with a sack or similar material and sprinkled with water periodically, allowing the earthworms to gradually convert the dung into organic fertilizer.
In Madhya Pradesh, the agriculture department and related schemes provide grants or financial assistance to help farmers set up vermicompost units and reduce chemical fertilizer costs. Similarly, government schemes in Bihar offer subsidies of up to ₹5,000 per pit or up to ₹15,000 for building a maximum of three vermipits.
To apply for a vermicompost unit and its related government schemes, farmers typically need an Aadhaar card, land-related documents, a bank passbook, and a photograph.
