Punjab farmers don't know about vermicompost

Chandigarh, May 9: Vermicompost, an organic fertiliser recycled by red worms can halt the indiscriminate use of chemical fertlisers in Punjab and can also generate additional income for the farmers, but unfortunately not much awareness has been generated in this direction.

Vermicompost is the richest natural manure high in nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrients with no harmful chemicals. However earnest efforts have not been made by the state government to promote the use and preparation of vermicompost.

Mrs Harjit Kaur of Sanjivani Vermi and Worm farms in Jagatpur village near Mohali said, ''On an average 30 per cent vermicompost is produced from the raw cow dung and if one animal releases 10 kg of dung per day, then in a year it would give 3,650 kg, resulting in 1,100 kg of vermi compost''. Vermicompost which is sold at the minimum rate of Rs three per kg would fetch Rs 3,300 for 1,100 kg of vermicompost, Mrs Harjeet Kaur, who has been in the business for the last couple of years said.

Giving statistical details, she said the cost of one tonne raw dung is Rs 150, which means a person earns Rs 2,200 per animal per year. While pointing out that there are 75 lakh adult farm animals in Punjab, she explained that the farmers and dairy farm owners can make good money from the vermicompost business.

Mrs Harjit Kaur suggested that if in a village, a minimum of four vermicompost farms are developed then direct and indirect employment could be generated at the unit level.

Mr Kuldeep Singh Sandhu, who also owns a vermicompost farm in Mohali district informed that not only vermicompost but also the worms used for converting raw dung into compost are sold at the rate of Rs 300 to Rs 400 per kg after every three to four months. Under normal weather conditions, he said the worms take 40 to 45 days to produce the compost, which looks like soil and produces no odour.

Mrs Harjit Kaur, who started the vermicompost project in September 2000 in an area of 7,500 square feet at a cost of nearly Rs five lakh, said that the money was recovered in one year period.

The vermicompost at her farm which is very rich in nutrients contains nearly 36 different types of elements that enriches soil in a natural manner and increases the quality, fertility and mineral contents of the soil. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides has decreased the fertility of the land to a great extent, while the salt and salinity has increased, she added.

Highlighting the qualities of vermicompost, she said it increases the soil's ability to hold water thus less water is needed for irrigation and also helps in ground water recharge and reduces depletion of ground water table. It also helps the soil retain more of the plant nutrients over a longer period and makes the soil easier to cultivate and enriches soil in natural manner the added.

The compost alone helps in reducing excessive alkalinity, acidity and keeps the soil cool in summer and warm in winter and most importantly helps in controlling the growth of weeds, Mrs Harjit Kaur added.

Ajayvir Singh, a shop owner, who sells compost said that for one acre of wheat and herbs about one to two tonnes of compost is required.

The use of vermicompost helps in environmental balance, bio diversity, improves ecosystem, reduces pollution as chemicals are not used and also lowers risk of diseases due to pesticide use. The crops grown by using organic ferilisers fetch higher prices in the market than the crops, vegetables and fruits produced from chemical fertilisers

UNI