Brahmanbaria farmer finds success through commercial earthworm farming

Farmer Mursheda Begum of Nabinagar upazila in the district has achieved financial success by commercially farming earthworms and inspiring other local farmers to take up the practice.

Earthworms are often called "nature's plough" as their presence improves soil quality and helps increase crop production. Vermicompost, an organic fertilizer produced with the help of earthworms, also enhances soil fertility.

Mursheda, a farmer from Ibrahimur village of the upazila, started farming red worm, a variety of Chinese earthworms, four to five years ago with support from the local agriculture department. The initiative has now become one of the major sources of income for her family, earning her around Taka 18,000 to Taka 20,000 per month.

According to the Nabinagar Agriculture Office, earthworm farming is gaining popularity among local farmers as the success of Mursheda has encouraged others to follow her example. The agriculture department is providing technical support, training and necessary inputs to create skilled entrepreneurs in this sector.

Mursheda said the process of producing vermicompost is relatively simple. Cow dung, banana stems, water hyacinth and vegetable waste are among the materials used in producing the organic fertilizer.

She said she produces around 8 to 10 kilograms of earthworms every month and sells them at Taka 2,000 per kilogram. She also produces around 300 kilograms of vermicompost, which is sold at Taka 10 per kilogram. Together, these generate a monthly income of around Taka 18,000 to Taka 20,000.

Her husband, Kawsar Mia, helps her in the enterprise. He said many people initially looked down on the idea of earthworm farming, but after seeing his wife's success, many have become interested in the business.

"Many people now contact to my wife to learn about earthworm farming. Some have already started producing earthworms after seeing our work," he said.

Mumtaz Begum, another local farmer, said she started earthworm farming after learning the technique from Mursheda and receiving training from the agriculture department.

"We learned the technique from Mursheda Apa and also received training from the agriculture department. That encouraged us to start," she said.

Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Gias Uddin Naim said the agriculture department regularly monitors earthworm farming activities in the area.

"We provide necessary inputs and arrange training for anyone interested in starting earthworm farming," he said.

Nabinagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Jahangir Alam said many people had initially criticized the idea of earthworm farming, but Mursheda's success has changed their perception.

"Many farmers are now coming forward by following Mursheda's example. We are providing regular training and necessary inputs to encourage the initiative," he said.