A vermicompost unit to manufacture vermicompost, packaging of the compost, selling vermicompost, selling the surplus culture, training other vermicomposting units.
Product/service description
Sell a variety of plants that can be grown in pots, seeds of vegetables and flowering plants, organic fertilizers, pesticides, gardening soil mix, homemade compost, decorative pots, gardening tools and accessories. The business will focus on the gardening requirements of apartments, offices and other small spaces.
Market Scope/Potential
Vermicompost is a great source of nutrition for the plants. It is much cheaper than the chemical fertilizers and a little quantity goes a long way. Moreover, since it is an organic fertilizer, it neither harms the soil nor the plants. It has a huge demand in the market due to its benefits and also because more and more people want to switch to fertilizers than do not harm the environment.
Opportunities
Vermicompost is easy to make and the installation of vermicompost bed does not need a lot of space.
The tools are a one-time investment.
Vermicompost takes lesser time to be made when compared to normal compost because the worms help in the faster decomposition of waste.
The life of worms is around two years and they reproduce pretty fast so there is a good amount of worms produced if proper conditions are provided.
The raw materials are kitchen waste, cow dung, paper scraps, droppings of birds, paper mill slurry, etc. These things are actually the waste that is available in huge amounts at practically no cost.
Risks
The worms can be attacked by pests.
There is a need to constantly keep turning the mixture and adding moisture. An optimum temperature should also be maintained.
Though the vermicompost has an earthy odour, it can start giving out an offensive odour if all the factors are not maintained properly.
Entrepreneurial qualities
To start vermicomposting, there is no need of any kind of special training or skill. However, working with worms may not sound interesting to everyone. Therefore, this business is only for those people who have a desire to work with the worms and waste materials. In addition, one also has to have a land to prepare the vermicompost beds. Space should also be available to store the prepared compost.
Do's
Chop the kitchen scrap into tiny bits so that it is easier for the worms to decompose them.
Keep the correct ratio of moist and dry material in the compost.
If the compost seems to be very moist, add dry materials like paper, cartons, dry leaves, etc.
Don't
Don't add fresh cow dung to the compost as there is a lot of heat in it. Leave it for a few days so that the heat escapes.
Don't add plastic, glass, metal or any kind of material that cannot be decomposed. This can spoil the quality of the compost.
Don't add onions, garlics or citrus fruits to the compost. Avoid salty food and meat products too.
Conclusion
Vermicompost business is for those people who are passionate about farming worms, are ready to utilise their land to recycle waste and have the skills to sell their products in the market.