Economics of vermi-composting of cattle dung, sheep manure and poultry litter under temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir valley

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the Division of Livestock Production and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (SKUAST - Kashmir) to estimate the economics of vermi-compost prepared from cattle dung, sheep manure and poultry litter under the agro climatic conditions of Kashmir Valley. Four groups formulated for carrying out vermi-composting was: Group G1: Cattle dung (Control), Group G2: Cattle dung + Sheep manure, Group G3: Cattle dung + Poultry manure, Group G4: Cattle dung + Sheep manure + Poultry litter. Each group consisted of four replicates (sub groups). The duration of the trail was 5 months. The fixed cost of Rs. 1600.0 and variable cost of Rs. 350.0 was observed in all groups. The total cost involved was Rs. 1950 in all groups. The net profit of vermi-composting was highest in G1 (Rs. 118.5), lowest in G4 (Rs. 43.5) whereas negative net profit was observed in case of G3 (Rs. 24.5). The profit per kg of end product was highest and lowest in G1 (Rs 3.80) and in G4 (Rs 1.70) respectively.