From 2 chambers to 70: six tons of vermicompost a month and about Tk 20 lakh a year net from the farm

A young man from Chhoto Algi village, Dhania union, Bhola Sadar, studied electrical and electronic engineering and worked at a private firm. In 2019 he started a farm with 10 goats on family land. During the pandemic he left his job and, with the help of a private organisation, fattened 12 cattle; the next year he bought four foreign-breed dairy cows. In 2021 he took vermicompost training. Starting with two chambers, he now produces fertiliser in 70. Dung from his animals, rotten grass, leaves and vegetable scraps give six tons a month, and 10 contract farmers supply another five tons. It is sold in 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kg packets: wholesale Tk 13-15 a kg, retail Tk 20. After costs, compost brings about Tk 60,000 a month and milk from the four cows Tk 60,000-70,000. Three permanent workers cost about Tk 50,000 a month in wages, and total monthly costs are Tk 1.32 lakh. Across fertiliser, milk and meat, net yearly income is about Tk 20 lakh. The compost has soil and BSTI certificates, and orders come from Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Noakhali and Lakshmipur too.