Vermicompost production makes Faridpur woman self-reliant

Farmers from different areas buy the fertilizer from her and she also helps other to learn how to produce vermicompost fertilizer.

Once Tania Parvin had to struggle to make ends meet. One day she saw a video on Youtube titled how to make vermicompost, a kind of organic fertilizer, at home, and it changed her life.
After receiving training from the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), she began vermicompost production with three ring slabs in 2017. Gradually her production expanded.
She said, “12 to 15 tons of fertilizer is produced from my 36 houses every month. I had only 12 houses in the beginning. The retail price per kg is TK15 and the wholesale price is TK12,"
Now she earns TK100,000 per month by producing the organic fertilizer.
Tania, a resident of Shovarampur area of  Faridpur municipality and mother of two children, is now selling this fertilizer in various parts of the country. She said the demand for this fertilizer is increasing day by day.
“My fertilizer has become popular locally. I'm also selling it in various parts of the country. My husband is very supportive,” she added.
Inspired by her, many women in the district started producing the fertilizer at home.
“Many women are now coming to me to learn how to make the organic fertilizer,” she added.
This organic fertilizer energizes soil and it has no side effects.  It has become quite popular among the farmers due to its low price.
Farmers from different areas buy the fertilizer from her and she also helps other to learn how to produce this fertilizer.
Nazrul Islam, a farmer from Ambikapur village, said that the price of organic fertilizer is lower than that of chemical fertilizers in the market.
“As it doesn’t damage the soil, we have started using organic fertilizer. I am having good results. It also improves soil fertility,” he said.
Zafar Khan, councilor of ward no.1 of the municipality, said, “Tania suffered a lot. We welcome her initiative. 5-6 workers are now working with her. She is contributing to reducing poverty in the area as well.”
Faridpur Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Anwar Hossain said, “We have supported her in different ways. I occasionally visit her farm and give suggestions. Following her footsteps, many people have started producing vermicompost. “
In nine upazilas of the district, at least 1,300 people—mostly women—are currently involved in the production of vermicompost, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Faridpur. Each year, they produce 151 tonnes of vermicompost.