Youth Action Fund|

In Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality, women farmers are taking charge of their agricultural practices with the support of the EcoGreen Vermicompost project. The initiative, which began with main aim to teach women how to produce vermicompost from organic waste, improving soil health and promoting sustainable farming. In June, I came across the Youth Action Fund call by Purak Asia. As an agriculture student from a rural village in Kaski, Nepal, the opportunity aligned with my long-held dream of introducing sustainable farming to my community. I applied with the project idea EcoGreen Vermicompost, which would train women farmers on vermicomposting, provide them with the tools and knowledge, and connect them to local government resources. When I was selected as a Youth Action Fund awardee, I began the process of bringing this project to life. The first step was finding local trainers and acquiring earthworms for the participants. With the help of local leaders, 50 women farmers were selected to attend the training program. Over the two-day workshop, the women learned how to transform organic waste into nutrient-rich compost using earthworms. They also participated in interactive discussions and cultural songs that made the learning experience engaging and enjoyable. By the end of the training, each farmer was ready to start composting at home. Three months after the training, I visited the farmers to see the results. Of the 50 women trained, more than 45 were successfully producing vermicompost. Many shared that the process was easy to follow, and they were seeing better yields in their crops due to the improved soil health. Some farmers even began sharing their success stories with neighbors, encouraging others to try it as well. To celebrate the success and discuss future steps, a panel discussion was organized, where the farmers presented their experiences. Local leaders and government officials attended, and they were impressed with the high-quality vermicompost produced. As a result, the local government has pledged to include eco-friendly farming practices in their future programs. The EcoGreen Vermicompost project has led to measurable success. Not only has it improved the soil health of participating farms, but it has also empowered women in the community. Several farmers have started producing vermicompost at a larger scale and are planning to sell it commercially. This project has proven that with the right training and support, rural women can become self-sufficient and contribute to environmental sustainability. The success of these farmers shows that even small actions, like using earthworms, can have a lasting impact on both the community and the environment.
Sharmila Adhikari

Sharmila Adhikari is an undergraduate student at Agriculture and Forestry University and serves as the Coordinator of Amnesty International Rampur Youth Network.

This article is a product of the Youth Action Fund – Insights to Social Impact, an initiative supported by Purak Asia. The Youth Action Fund is a four-month fellowship program designed to empower young individuals to implement innovative solutions addressing critical societal challenges. The program focuses on themes such as Sustainable Future, Effective Governance, and Alternative Approaches to Rural Economic Issues. It provides essential support and guidance to youth-led initiatives, encouraging their efforts to establish social enterprises and develop creative solutions for governance and sustainability challenges.

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