INSPRING STORY OF PAYAL AGRAWAL (VERMICOMPOSTING)

VERMICOMPOSTING

WHAT IS VERMICOMPOSTING?

"Vermicomposting is a process where the earthworm helps to convert the  organic waste into manure rich high nutritional content." 

Vermicomposting means worm farming. In simple words, if we had to explain the process of vermicomposting, Earthworm feed on the organic waste materials and give out excreta in the form of 'vermicasts' that are rich in nitrates & minerals such as phosphorous, magnesium, calcium & potassium. These are used as fertilizers to enhance the quality of soil.

NUTREINTS PROFILE OF VERMICOMPOSTING:

• 0·1% of Nitrogen

• 0.71% of Phosphorus

• 0.80% of Potassium

• 0.51% of Calcium

• 0.27% of Magnesium 

• 175 ppm Iron

• 96.5 ppm of Manganese

• 24.5 ppm of Zinc

CASE STUDY:

PAYAL AGRAWAL

This is the story of a girl named Payal Agrawal. She is the Engineering student. She completed her B.tech in 2016. After that she was preparing for the competitive exam for 2 years. During her examination she got the job offer from Multinational company but she rejected the offer as she was preparing for exam. Then she didn't got success she decided to start her own  business where she wanted the input cost to be low. When she was searching for different business ideas she got to know about the Vermicomposting and she started doing the research regarding about it. She belongs to Meerut, U.P. 

• HOW SHE STARTED DOING IT? 

Initially she was started collecting the relevant information in the sector organic farming. She got to develop her interest in this sector. Her interest towards this field eventually made start her business in Vermicomposting at the age of 25. Subsequently, Payal began to read  and started collecting the information about vermicomposting from different places and internet. She also took the training from the nearby place. Even while training, she bought some earthworms and practice it at small scale. After that, when Payal was confident enough that she could do this, she started her own vermicomposting unit in 2017 with the name "Green Earth Organics". Her journey for this was not simple, she invested about 2 lakh which she used to get from the tuitions she used to take. First of all she took the land on rent and started to setup the beds over there and stared with her vermicomposting unit. Today she earns about 2 lakhs rupees per month.

• HOW DOES PAYAL WORKS?

The vermicomposting process takes about two and  a half months. In her unit, there are around 200 beds at a time. She purchases  the earthworm from different places. Also purchases the dung from Gaushala. She takes the cow dung which is 15 days old. The cost 1kg of dung is near about  30-40 paisa. She produces about 25 tons of vermicompost a month and sometimes more than that. She is also give free training to the people and helping them to start there own setup. She is also giving employment to many people. Best thing about her vermicompost is it's originality.

• CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF VERMICOMPOST:-

The good quality of vermicompost becomes friable after composting and also turns black. 

                                                                          -By:- Aishwarya Pradip Awasarmol 

PERMACULTURE (Ethics and principles, Examples)

PERMACULTURE

                                                                       Permaculture, in simple words it is can said as the a process that mimic the natural ecosystems.Without disturbing the natural environment performing the the activity of agriculture is permaculture.The permaculture term was coined in Tasmania by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the mid 1970's.PERMACULTURE a combination of the words PERMANENT and AGRICULTURE offer a unique approach to the practice of sustainable farming,ranching ,gardening and living.

                                                                     Permaculture is something to how to which shows how to work,with the dynamics of natural ecosystems.We can apply this knowledge in designing constructed ecosystems that serve the needs of human populations without degrading our natural environment.Permaculture would deal with integrated plants,animals, landscapes,structures & human into symbiotic systems where the product of one element serves the need of another.It can be done with by using the minimum material,energy & labor.By recycling " waste" resources back into the system,it also minimizes the pollution.

                                                                       As permaculture mimics the natural process of ecosystems .The careful observation of the natural cycles, energies and resources on a site are necessary. We can design a system that imitates Nature & takes on a life of its own . So, the permaculture is a system of design . Permaculture can yield a variety of high quality food fiber & energy to meet the basic human needs.

                                                 

 Ethics and  Principle of Permaculture

1. Observe and  interact. 
2. Catch and store energy.
3. Obtain a yield.
4. Apply  Self Regulation and accept feedback. 
5.Use and value Renewable Resources and services. 
6. Produce No waste. 

7. Design from Patterns to Details. 

8. Integrate Rather than segregate. 
9. Use small and Slow Solutions.
10. Use and value Diversity. 
11. Use edges & value the marginal . 

12. Creatively use & Respond to change.

 1. Observe & interact. 

                                Being observant and reacting to what we see is really important in moving towards a more ethical and sustainable way of life. While Observing means should consider the times of day & cultures.

 2. Catch & store Energy 

 Energy is which gives us the ability to work , should not be wasted . The renewable ways of capturing and utilizing energy should be promoted.

3. Obtain a yield

 Design of the should be that it should encourage the yield of the crop and hence they would create  . ' "Positive feedback loop "

 4. Apply Self - regulation and accept feedback

 We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that systems can continue to function well.

 5. Use and value Renewable Resources and services .

 A diversified use of renewable resources at appropriate level of use can help us to limit our to consumption. 

 6. Produce No waste . 

Recycling, composting & reducing waste are increasingly important as population increases.

 Like , A stitch saves nine.

7.Design from Patterns to Details

 By stepping Back , we can observe patterns in nature and society . These can form the backbone of our designs with the details filled in as we go.

                                                                                              - McManus 2010 

8. Integrale Rather than segregate

 The recognition of complex connection in nature and making beneficial use of those interactions.

9.Use small and slow solutions

Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and produce more sustainable outcomes. 

10.Use and value diversity

Permaculture seeks to understand past, present and potential biological and cultural diversity.

11.Use edges and value the marginal

A point where two systems meet is often a place where productivity and stability can be found. Rather than disregarding the marginal we should look for ways to make use of it's diversity and productivity.

12.Creativity, use and respond to change. 

 We can have a positive impact on inevitable change be carefully observing and then intervening of the right time.

                         

Examples of Permaculture-

• Rain water harvesting
• Stack function
• Herb spirals
• Design a plant guide

Permaculture vs Organic farming

                                                                     Permaculture & Organic farming have similarities but also differences what connects these two gardens is high respect for environment principles,nonuse of synthetic resources, production with the application of natural processes & material. Development Sustainable agri system rationalization of natural resources. Organic farming involves , growing food with a lot work invested. Permaculture can be called as "lazy agriculture". Permaculture is a focus on biodiversity, perennial plants . One of the biggest & major difference is land treatment. 

       

            

                                                                                                       By:- Aishwarya Awasarmol