Vermicompost: A Tool for Agripreneurship Development for the Unemployed Youths of India

Author: Popiha Bordoloi

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Abstract

Unemployment among youth is a major concern in India, with lack of skills and opportunities being major contributing factors. At the same time, there is a growing need for sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices to support the increasing population and reduce environmental impact. Vermicomposting provides an innovative solution that can address both these challenges by empowering unemployed youth to become Agripreneurs. Vermicompost is nutritious organic fertilizer produced through bio-oxidation and stabilization of organic material by interactions between earthworms and microorganisms. Vermicomposting is a low-cost, sustainable technique that converts waste into a valuable resource, while also generating self-employment opportunities, especially for rural and peri-urban youth. This review article highlights the immense potential of vermicomposting as a tool for sustainable Agripreneurship development among the unemployed youth of India. The key opportunities, benefits, and challenges are discussed, along with recommendations to promote vermicomposting through skill training, financial support, and market linkages. If implemented judiciously, vermicomposting can stimulate green entrepreneurship, rural transformation, sustainable agriculture and youth empowerment in India.

Keywords

Vermicompost, Earthworms, Agripreneurship, Unemployment, Youth Empowerment, Sustainable Agriculture

Conclusion

Vermicomposting provides a sustainable means for converting organic wastes into a valuable agricultural input that enhances soil health, crop yields, and food quality. The process generates environment-friendly organic fertilizer while mobilizing unutilized organic materials. Vermicompost production through small decentralized units also offers avenues for eco-enterprise development requiring low investments. These attributes make vermicomposting well-suited for promoting green Agripreneurship opportunities for unemployed youth in India. By equipping rural and peri-urban youth with vermicomposting skills and linking them to markets, youth entrepreneurship and empowerment can be stimulated while also making agriculture sustainable. However, enabling mechanisms in the form of technical guidance, financial support, infrastructure, quality assurance, and marketing linkages are vital for the wider adoption and success of youth-led vermicompost enterprises. Purposeful policy interventions in these areas coupled with grassroots-level awareness generation can unleash vermicomposting as a win-win solution for youth unemployment and sustainable rural transformation.

References

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How to cite this article

Popiha Bordoloi (2023). Vermicompost: A Tool for Agripreneurship Development for the Unemployed Youths of India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 10-13.