Conversion of Waste to Wealth
How Mr. Bhugeswar Rabha turned village waste into a thriving vermicompost enterprise
Abstract
Mr. Bhugeswar Rabha, a farmer from a rural village in Udalguri district of Assam, has become a successful organic farmer since receiving training from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Udalguri in 2023. With strong farming roots and continuous technical support from KVK, he set up two vermicompost units using cow dung, organic waste and crop residue, and now earns a net income of Rs 80,000 a year from the sale of vermicompost and earthworms. He has led village cleanliness drives under the Swachhta Action Plan and promotes waste-to-wealth management in his community. As Secretary of Nalkhamara Anchalik Krishi Goot, he aims to spread awareness of organic farming across the district, promoting vermicompost as an effective alternative to chemical fertilisers.
- Keywords:
- Waste
- Wealth
- Vermicompost
- Cow dung
- Organic farming
The Journey to Success
In 2023, Mr. Rabha of Darringipara village, Nalkhamara, attended a training programme on vermicompost production organised by KVK Udalguri in his village. The people of Darringipara have a strong farming background. Through a series of KVK trainings and demonstrations on vermicompost production technology, many households now produce vermicompost at home in their bari as part of organic farming.
KVK Udalguri also held several awareness programmes in the village under the Swachhta Action Plan on the theme of converting waste to wealth. Organic waste collected while cleaning the village was turned into vermicompost, and Mr. Rabha led the village team in these drives.
- 2017-18KVK Udalguri forms Nalkhamara Anchalik Krishi Goot under the TSP programme in Nalkhamara, the district’s vermi-village
- 2023Mr. Rabha attends KVK training on vermicompost production in Darringipara
- Swachhta Action PlanLeads the village team in cleanliness drives that turn collected waste into compost
- EnterpriseSets up two vermicompost units with KVK support and guidance
- LeadershipJoins Nalkhamara Anchalik Krishi Goot and becomes its Secretary
From Waste to Wealth
Mr. Rabha produces vermicompost following recommended practices. His feedstock comes from crop residue on his farm, banana pseudostem, cattle dung and, most importantly, organic waste collected from cleaning the village. He harvests three batches of vermicompost every year and earns a net income of Rs 80,000 a year from vermicompost and earthworms alone.
Inputs
- Village organic waste
- Crop residue
- Banana pseudostem
- Cow dung
- Earthworms
Process
- 2 vermicompost units
- Recommended practices
- 3 batches a year
Outputs
- Vermicompost
- Earthworms for sale
- Rs 80,000 net income a year
- Cleaner village
Future Plans
Mr. Rabha’s waste-to-wealth work is already well known in Darringipara and Nalkhamara, and he now aims to spread this awareness across the whole of Udalguri district. He believes organic farming will become popular among the district’s farmers and help them keep chemical fertiliser use to a minimum. Since inputs such as biofertilisers and organic manure are not always easy to obtain locally, he sees nutrient-rich vermicompost as a practical alternative. He also encourages fellow farmers to rear cows, which provide the cow dung needed for vermicompost production.
Conclusion
Mr. Bhugeswar Rabha’s story shows how a simple technology, backed by timely training and support from KVK Udalguri, can turn waste into a steady source of income while keeping villages clean and soils healthy. He stands as an example of how one committed farmer can lead his community towards sustainable, organic agriculture.
