Economic and ecological transformation through mixed-culture vermicomposting: A nine-year longitudinal case study of vermicomposting adoption in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

Abstract

This case study explores the impact of adopting on-farm vermicomposting by a marginal farmer in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, comparing baseline data (2015-16) to post-intervention results (2023-24). The principal element of intervention is replacing costly inorganic fertilizers with self-produced vermicompost, by utilizing a mixed culture of Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae, ensuring system stability. The study shows that over the period of Nine-years farmer’s Net Annual Income nearly doubled. This financial growth is attributed to the diversification into and intensification of high-value enterprises. The finding infers that small scale vermicomposting can serve as powerful economic tool for marginal farmers, contributing to ecological wellbeing and achieving self-reliance with significant income generation.