Shri. Harpreet Singh is a resident of Dugri village in Tarn Taran, a border district of Indian Punjab. Harpreet Singh owns five acres of land and mainly cultivates rice-wheat. He also grows oilseeds and organic vegetables sufficient for household consumption. Harpreet is 35-year old and is differently abled person. However, he didn’t allow his physical disability to come in the way of his success journey. He has been trained on various skill development trainings by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tarn Taran. He also actively participates in various programmes organized by KVK as well as by line departments.
In the year 2020, Harpreet Singh came in contact with KVK experts. He started learning vermicompost production on a commercial scale. He started a vermicompost unit with two beds in 2020. The KVK experts helped in installing low cost vermicompost unit. He collects raw material (FYM/cow dung) from localized commercial dairy farm for vermicompost production.
In a span of three years, Harpreet gradually increased the vermi-beds and expanded the business consistently. Presently, in the year 2023, he has over 125 beds [30 (L) x 3 (B) feet] with production potential of about 100 tons per annum. He has categorized vermicompost into 3 categories based on its quality and grading. He sells vermicompost locally to local vegetable & flower nursery and fruit growers in Punjab. Local farmers also purchase vermicompost from him as per their requirement. By selling vermicompost as well as earthworms, he is earning around Rs. 4-5 lakhs per annum.
Harpreet Singh is also interested in training the youth on vermicompost production. He helps fellow farmers in establishing vermicompost unit at domestic as well as commercial level. Owing to his interest and willingness to help others, KVK Tarn Taran has established a Farmers’ Field School on Vermicompost on Harpreet Singh’s farm. With financial support from ATMA, Tarn Taran, Harpreet Singh is training youth on vermicomposting in Farmer Field School.
Recognising his efforts, Harpreet Singh is honoured by the KVK – Tarn Taran, in the auspicious presence of Hon’ble Animal Husbandry Minister, Govt. of Punjab and Vice-Chancellor, Veterinery Varsity, Ludhiana. The KVK officials regularly visit his farm for guidance. He has also created his facebook and instagram accounts (Sran Vermicompost) for wider advertisement of his product.
The story has been developed by Anil Kumar and Puneet Malhotra. They can be contacted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Tarn Taran – Punjab; Email: anilkumarhpkv@gmail.com
