PANGIN, 17 Apr: A pilot project on vermicomposting, funded by Pangin-Boleng MLA Ojing Tasing, was rolled out in Pangin Moruk and Pangin Moli villages in Pangin circle of Siang district on Monday.
In a successful display of convergence of efforts by the local MLA, the Pangin CO and the Pangin ArSRLM unit, the project has been conceived with the twin objectives of generating revenue for SHGs and promoting organic farming in an endeavour to convert ‘waste to wealth’.
Members of six beneficiary SHGs participated in the ‘training-cum-input distribution camp’, during which vermicompost beds, garden fencing, red wiggler earthworms, tools and kits were distributed.
The beneficiaries had been trained by officials of Pasighat-based College of Horticulture & Forestry and the East Siang Krishi Vigyan Kendra, under the guidance of the ArSRLM.
Vermicomposting is the usage of earthworms to convert decomposable organic waste to a 100 percent organic plant fertiliser.
“Women through SHGs have been the vehicles of development, and through this vermicomposting project, not only shall the SHGs start earning revenue but also use it to further create assets in the community,” said Tasing.
Urging the beneficiary SHGs to sincerely carry out the project, he encouraged them to “become shining examples for other SHGs in the district and the state.”
“This project would not have seen the light of day had it not been for the support of the MLA, who readily came onboard to fund the entire pilot project,” said Pangin CO Niyang Pertin.
“Moreover, it was imperative that this project be completely community-owned and community-managed to inculcate a sense of responsibility and ownership. Therefore, the entire vermicompost production units have been completely handed over to the SHGs after the initial handholding,” she added.
Out of the six beneficiary SHGs, Nyobo Ane has already produced 53 kgs of vermicompost and sold them for Rs 50 per kg through social media, especially WhatsApp.
“There is a lot of demand for vermicompost even within Pangin, and we expect our revenue to increase two-fold in the coming months,” said GPC and SHG member Oyini Dupak.
