Vermicompost Brings Out a Drastic Change in Nandigram

Vermicompost is the product of the decomposition of organic material by earthworms, usually, red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms, to create a mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, and bedding materials. ADRA Bangladesh patronizes and encourages farmers to produce Vermicompost and replaces chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers. Vermicomposting and Vermiculture offer the potential to organic farmers as sources of supplemental income.

ADRA in Bangladesh is assisting the marginalized peasant communities so they can adopt organic fertilizer aiming to develop a sustainable green agrarian system through its Community Empowerment Project (CEP). CEP – Gouripur, Mymensingh has formed a few Shomity (Group) aiming to empower women and bring them under an institutional umbrella.

Nandigram Mohila Unnayan Shomity is playing an inevitable role in terms of producing Vermicompost. They produce worms (the raw ingredients of Vermicompost) and sell them to the local farmers, government stakeholders, and other organizations.

Nandigram Mohila Unnayan Shomity has gained a reputation for producing Vermicompost. A total of 55 beneficiaries of Nandigram received training from Community Empowerment Project (CEP) – Gouripur, Mymensingh. At present, more than 100 beneficiaries are involved with Vermicompost production in this village.

A few months ago, a representative from SARA (one of the partner NGOs of ADRA Bangladesh) came to Nandigram as a facilitator of the Human Rights Training program. He observed the whole procedures of producing Vermicompost and found interest in it. He wanted to extend the intervention in their project areas.

After a few months, SARA arranged a cross visit in Community Empowerment Project (CEP) area. They came with six members to visit Nandigram Mohila Unnayan Shomity and took an orientation from CEP staff and beneficiaries.

From that cross-visit program, SARA and its counterparts gained knowledge and skills for producing Vermicompost. Both SARA and ADRA have built up a good working relationship and they are helping the underprivileged rural communities so they can obtain financial emancipation.