Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Sengkey Ch Sangma, a 36-year-old farmer from Dabram village, has transformed waste into profit. She now pulls in Rs 63,000 annually by selling organic manure and earthworms. She operates under the Baghmara C&RD Block with help from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.
She started the venture on August 28, 2025, using technical guidance from the Agriculture Department and ATMA in Baghmara. Two beds, each 6 ft by 3 ft, churn out 300 kg of compost every 45 days. She uses cow dung, banana stems, and leaves to feed the process. Her initial investment hit Rs 25,000. She expects to clear 1,200 kg of product each year across four harvests. At Rs 50 per kg, that brings in Rs 60,000. Selling 750 earthworms at Rs 4 a piece added another Rs 3,000 to her pocket.
Sangma noted the sector is gaining traction. "Around eight farmers are currently engaged in the activity in South Garo Hills," she stated. Another grower, Mengstone R Sangma, made Rs 18,000 by selling 6,000 earthworms to the Horticulture Department for Rs 3 each.
The Agriculture Department backed this growth with 15 units established over two years. The 2024-25 scheme saw seven units open: four in Baghmara and one in Rongara. In 2025-26, they added eight more units. This expansion included five in Baghmara, two in Rongara, and one in Chokpot. Farmers are dumping chemical fertilizers for this natural alternative. Demand currently outstrips supply across the district.
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