Tamil Nadu - Salem   

Vermi-composting to promote organic farming

— Photo: P. Goutham

The natural way: T. Ganesan, a farmer, working at his vermi-compost unit in Jagir Ammapalayam near Salem

SALEM: The Agriculture department is motivating farmers in the district to take up vermi-composting as a part of its efforts to promote organic farming. Steps have been initiated to provide training and financial support for the production of vermi-compost, both at the small and large levels. The continuous application of chemical fertilisers had severely affected the soil health and also resulted in the loss of productivity and emergence of new pest and diseases. As a result, the concept of applying organic manure is gaining momentum among the farming community in the district.

The application of organic manure improves soil health and productivity besides protecting the environment, Joint Director of Agriculture K. Janagan said. “The application of organic manure accounts only 10 percent in the district.

We have planned to increase its use . Training programmes and field demonstrations on compost production are being held in various parts of the district,” he added. Agriculture officials said that a few farmers in the district had taken up vermi-composting on a large scale and marketing the compost successfully. T. Ganesan, a farmer in Jagir Ammapalayam, was producing about 250 tonnes of vermi-compost a month in his unit. “I am selling the compost for Rs. 4,500 per tonne and the response from the farmers is encouraging. Though there are problems in marketing and transportation, the growing awareness among farmers will fetch better business in the future,” he said.

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