Lalmonirhat youth makes fortune by producing vermicompost

LALMONIRHAT, Jan 29: Ershad Hossen, a youth of Morichbari village under Aditmari upazila of the district, has become self-reliant by producing vermicompost (organic fertiliser) commercially.
Talking to this correspondent, he said that as he was an eighth grader, he could not mange any job. But, he assisted his father in doing his agricultural work.
"I've taken training from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in producing vermicompost. Thereafter, I've started a farm in my home. Local DAE provided me with four ring slabs and one kilogram of earthworm for my new project."
He also said, "I started producing vermicompost in my home on a small scale. I started selling the fertiliser to local farmers."
Within a few months, Hossen gets very good response from local farmers. Farmers from different regions are coming to his house to buy the fertiliser.
"I am earning Tk 25,000-30,000 every month selling the fertiliser and hope it will increase day by day."
Describing his success, he, however, said that later he started sending his vermicompost to local markets and rooftop gardeners in Rangpur city.
"Now every month, I have sent a huge quantity of vermicompost fertilisers to nearest upazilas and Rangpur," he added.
The cost of vermicompost fertiliser is also lower than the chemical ones. One kilogram of vermicompost sells at Tk 15. Every month, he produce 1700-1800 kilograms of vermicompost. After using the organic fertiliser, farmers are also getting good results.
Abdur Rashid, a farmer of the area, said he used the vermicompost fertiliser in his Brinjal field and got a good result. Like him, any of the area is now using the fertiliser in their croplands.
Soleman Ali, another farmer of the area, said, "We're using his (Ershad's) vermicompost in our croplands and vegetable fields."
Now, he is thinking of expanding his firm as the demand for vermicompost is increasing among roof gardeners in the town.
However, he achieved not only financial solvency but also empowered others in his locality.
He has already sold eight kilograms of earthworm to the farmers who are interested in making such farms in their homes. There are 35 kilograms of earthworm in his house for sales. Some farmers already talked with him to make this project.
Fazlul Haque, sub-assistant of the DAE, said, "The demand for vermicompost is high. Farmers are getting good results from this organic fertiliser."
"We've given training to farmers and are inspiring them to use vermicompost fertiliser," he added.
Hamidur Rahaman, deputy director of the DAE in Lalmonirhat, said, "Organic fertilisers are very suitable for soil and crops. We're encouraging farmers in producing vermicompost."

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