Vermicompost procurement begins

In a major initiative aimed at promoting organic farming and improving rural livelihoods, the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department has started purchasing cow dung from livestock farmers at Rs 3 per kilogram. Under this scheme, 224 quintals of cow dung have already been procured from 64 farmers in Sirmaur district. The procurement is being carried out across four blocks, including purchases from cattle shelters (Gosadan).

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The government launched this programme in December 2024 as part of a larger push towards sustainable agriculture. In Sirmaur, the Agriculture Department has formed clusters of 150 farmers in each block, identifying eligible livestock owners for procurement. The collected cow dung is being transferred to a company hired by the department for processing, packaging and further distribution as vermicompost.

“The department has already deposited payments directly into the bank accounts of the farmers,” said Dr Rajkumar, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department, Sirmaur. “This initiative not only supports farmers financially but also promotes organic manure, reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers.”