Convener News Desk
Bandipora, Jan 15: A week-long Entrepreneurship & Skill Development Programme (ESDP) on “Entrepreneurial Skill Development and Management of Rural Youth in Scientific Vermicompost Production” commenced at KVK Bandipora-1 on Thursday.
The seven-day programme, running from January 15th to January 21st, 2026, is being organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bandipora-1 under the Directorate of Extension, SKUAST-Kashmir, in collaboration with the EMDP Division, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.
The training is specifically designed to empower rural youth, Krishi Sakhis, and participants from the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The primary goal is to provide these participants with the technical skills and business management knowledge required to establish and run successful vermicomposting units as sustainable micro-enterprises.
During the inaugural session, Dr. Tahir Saleem Subject Matter Specialist (Vegetable Science) delivered a detailed presentation and led a practical demonstration on the essentials of scientific vermicomposting. He explained that vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer produced by the breakdown of organic waste by earthworms. He demonstrated how this process not only cleans up the environment by recycling farm waste and cow dung but also significantly improves soil health and water retention, leading to better crop quality and reduced chemical costs for farmers.
Adding further technical insights, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Mir Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science) spoke about the importance of scientific management in vermicompost units. He explained that by following correct methods such as maintaining proper moisture and temperature participants can produce high-quality organic manure much faster than traditional methods. He encouraged the NRLM members and rural youth to look at vermicomposting as a “Green Business” that has high demand in both local and urban markets.
The programme is being coordinated by Dr. Bilal Ahmad Zargar, Subject Matter Specialist (Agri-Extension). He informed the participants that the seven-day curriculum will cover everything from the basic biology of earthworms to the branding, packaging, and marketing of the final product. He highlighted that the collaboration with MSME is aimed at building the entrepreneurial capacity of rural communities, helping them move from being job seekers to job creators.
Over the coming week, the trainees will engage in intensive hands-on sessions at KVK Bandipora-1. By the end of this programme, the participants will be equipped to start their own units, promoting natural farming practices and contributing to the economic growth of the district through organic entrepreneurship.
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