Vermicomposting for Organic Farming and Income Generation   Organic farming in Kerala is yet to gain momentum just because of the low availability of quality organic manures like farm yard manure and compost. The technology of vermicompost production using unutilised crop residues and household wastes that are available in plenty, is already gaining popularity among farmers of neighbouring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu since 2000. KVK implemented a comprehensive programme to disseminate vermiculture technology with three objectives: 1. To make each farm holding self sufficient in its organic manure requirement thus reducing cost of cultivation of various crops. 2. Promoting organic farming through the use of organic manures such as vermicompost and reduced dependence on chemical inputs 3. To provide opportunities for generating additional income to the farmers/youth through sale of compost, earthworms and vermiwash. The training was imparted to small and marginal farmers and youths in the age group of 25 to 60 years. After the training, the KVK assisted the farmers/groups to prepare detailed projects to avail bank loans for the establishment of vermicompost units. Proposals were also submitted by the KVK to the local Panchayat for availing financial assistance through line departments. The Panchayat has extended financial assistance to the tune Rs. 5,000/- per unit. Earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae (African earthworm) was also supplied to the units to start production of compost. The units were closely monitored by KVK through frequent field visits, telephonic discussions and consultations as and when required to solve various problems. Within a span of 2 years the technology has quickly diffused to neighbours as well as friends and relatives of the early adopted farmers. Samples of worms were exchanged between farmers for beginning new units. There are many farmers who have adopted the technology from neighbours, convinced by the better performance of household crops like vegetables, fruits and other crops and plantlets in the nursery. Realising the usefulness of the worms for compost making using pig waste, one pig farmer has also started production of compost.   Income from compost, worm and vermiwash The details of quantity of compost and worms produced and income generated by the vermicompost units are given as Table 1. Even though vermicompost and vermiwash produced were used in own farms, the worms produced by the units contributed towards generating immediate income. One farmer could realize an income of Rs.7, 500/- through the sale of worms. Most of the farmers have utilized the compost produced for crops in their own field. A few farmers expressed their willingness to sell the balance after their requirement whenever reasonable price was ensured (Rs. 8 to 10 per kg). Two self help groups have started sale of compost and vermiwash to the depots of INFAM, a local level farmers organisation at the rate of Rs. 10/- and Rs. 5/- for kg of compost and a litre of vermiwash, respectively. The INFAM has assured to purchase any quantity of vermicompost and wash being produced by them. Because of the growing demand and acceptance of vermicompost by farming community and the network of organic depots backed up by INFAM, vermicomposting is quite popular as a profitable enterprise in the region.   Table 1. Income realized from vermicompost units   Sl. No. Name of farmer Month and Year of Start Production of Value of Compost (litre) Worms (kg) Vermiwash (kg) Compost (Rs.) Worms (Rs.) Vermiwash (Rs.) 1 Joy Varghese March 2001 4500 4 10 36,000 2000 50 2 Rajan Madathinakath January 2001 1500 15 2 12,000 7500 10 3 Scaria K.T. May 2002 700 - - 5600 - - 4 K.T. Thomas January 2002 500 - - 4000 - - 5 K.O. Sebastian January 2000 5000 4 20 40,000 2000 100 6 Abraham Pookamala December 2000 2500 8 10 20,000 4000 500 7 P.M. Jose January 2001 2000 11 10 17,600 5500 500 8 Paul, P.D. December 2001 1000 2 - 8,000 1000 - 9 Mathew, P.T. May 2001 15000 13 200 12,000 6500 1000 10 John, E.K. June 2002 300 - 20 2,400 - 100 11 Mathai, V.J. May 2002 200 - - 1,600 - - 12 George Kumblanickal October 2000 250 - - 200 - - 13 Nidhi (SHG) April 2002 1000 4 50 8,000 2000 250 14 Aiswarya (SHG) May 2002 800 1 15 6,400 500 75