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At MCC, a course in vermicomposting

K. Manikandan

Fee for the two-semester programme is Rs. 1,000

PHOTO: A. MURALITHARAN

CAREER OPTION: Alexandar Jesudasan, Reader, Department of Zoology, Madras Christian College, Tambaram, explaining the vermicompost project as part of the Career Oriented Certificate Course sponsored by the University Grants Commission.

TAMBARAM : Collecting degradable waste, introducing earthworms and converting it into manure need not be restricted only to individuals and voluntary organisations interested in keeping their environment clean. This could be a viable option for students to learn the skill of handling earthworms and convert waste into manure to become an entrepreneur.

And that is precisely what Madras Christian College in Tambaram has aimed at. With support from University grants commission, the Department of Zoology has started a Career Oriented Certificate Course on vermicomposting. The course was started about three months ago and at present has 15 students. Beginning with a seed money of Rs. 2 lakhs from the UGC, the department first set up basic infrastructure including the sheds for converting waste into manure.

R.W. Alexander Jesudasan, Reader in the Zoology Department, said the purpose was to enable youth to be equipped with skills that would help them in setting up their own establishment. With increasing awareness on consumption of vegetables grown organically, the demand for organic manure too was on the rise. And youth who could set up such units that required very little investment could go on to become an entrepreuner, Dr. Jesudasan said.

During the course, students would get a chance to conduct analyses of various changes in plants after introduction of organic manure. In the project, bagasse and pressmud, waste from sugar mills and cowdung are mixed for a couple of months before earthworms are introduced. The mix is watered regularly and in about five months, it is converted into organic manure, Dr. Jesudasan said.

The fee for the two-semester course is Rs. 1,000 and presently, is restricted only to MCC Students and they hoped to throw open the course for others too, he added.

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