Environmentally Friendly Vermicompost Promotes Farmer Welfare

Udaipur, Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the Rajasthan government is committed to environmental protection and farmer welfare through several innovative measures. In this effort, to curb the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and enhance soil fertility, the Rajasthan government has introduced an online application process for grants under the "Vermicompost Unit Construction (Permanent Structure)" program, as per the 2024-25 budget announcement.

The initiative aims to reduce the rising costs of farming with chemical fertilizers and encourage a shift towards traditional agriculture by promoting vermicompost. This move is expected to provide better nutrition to crops, improve their growth, and increase farmers' income.

Benefits of Vermicompost:

Vermicompost is an organic fertilizer produced through the activity of earthworms. It offers numerous advantages for farming, including improving soil fertility, enhancing soil structure, increasing water retention capacity, and stimulating microbial activity. Compared to chemical fertilizers, vermicompost is more eco-friendly, leading to better soil and water quality. Its use can help reduce farming costs and improve production yields.

Grant Details:

Sudhir Verma, Joint Director of Agriculture (Extension), explained that farmers can apply for grants on the Raj Kisan Saathi portal on a "first-come-first-served" basis. In case of high application volumes, a lottery system will be implemented. The program is expected to be a boon for farmers engaged in organic farming and will likely increase interest in this practice.

Grant Coverage:

Udaipur district has been allocated a target of 100 permanent vermicompost units. Farmers establishing these units will receive a grant covering 50% of the cost or a maximum of ₹50,000. Farmers can apply online for this grant. The use of vermicompost is anticipated to promote soil health and fertility.

Application Process:

According to the Chief Minister's budget announcement, guidelines have been issued for establishing vermicompost units. Farmers must own at least 0.4 hectares of arable land to qualify. Applications can be submitted online through the Raj Kisan portal or at nearby e-Mitra centers; offline applications will not be accepted.

Technical Requirements:

Verma outlined the technical specifications for setting up a vermicompost unit: it must be a permanent structure measuring 30 feet by 8 feet by 2.5 feet. The structure should have a minimum height of 10 feet in the center and 8 feet at the sides. Each unit requires at least 60 kilograms of earthworms, which can be purchased from registered NGOs, gaushalas, agricultural science centers, research centers, or agricultural colleges. Each bed should contain 400 grams of Trichoderma, PSB, Azotobacter culture, and 1 kilogram of neem cake.

For more information, farmers can visit the agricultural department’s website or contact the Raj Kisan Saathi portal helpdesk at 0141-2927047 or 2922613.