Pulwama, Jul 08 (KNO): In a remarkable example of how education, innovation and entrepreneurship can go hand in hand, a young Physics Honours graduate from south Kashmir's Pulwama district has ventured into organic farming by setting up a vermi compost production unit, creating livelihood opportunities for local youth while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Haroon Rashid Bhat, a resident of Laribal village, chose the path of self-employment instead of waiting for a government job. His venture, launched around four months ago, is expected to produce its first batch of organic vermi compost within the coming days, marking the beginning of what he hopes will become a thriving business catering to the increasing demand for organic fertilisers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Haroon said the idea took shape after he attended an awareness programme organised under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), where experts highlighted the economic potential of vermi compost production and its importance in sustainable agriculture.
"The programme changed my perspective. I realised that agriculture-based entrepreneurship has immense potential in Kashmir. Instead of searching for jobs, I decided to create one for myself and others," he said.
To establish the unit, Haroon procured high-quality earthworms from Haryana and arranged cow dung from local dairy farmers, which serves as the primary raw material for preparing nutrient-rich organic manure. The composting process involves the decomposition of organic waste by earthworms, producing a natural fertiliser that improves soil health and crop productivity.
The enterprise has already provided employment to four to five local youth, who are involved in collecting raw materials, maintaining compost beds, packaging and other operational activities. Haroon believes the unit has the potential to generate additional employment as production expands in the coming months.
He said excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers, particularly urea and DAP, has adversely affected soil fertility over the years, reducing the natural nutrient content of agricultural land.
"Chemical fertilisers may provide quick results, but their long-term use weakens soil structure and can affect both environmental and human health. Vermi compost restores soil fertility naturally, enhances microbial activity and helps farmers grow healthier, chemical-free crops," he said.
Haroon said awareness about organic farming has been steadily increasing among farmers, especially those cultivating fruits and vegetables, leading to a growing demand for organic manure across the Union Territory.
According to him, Jammu and Kashmir still depends heavily on supplies from outside states to meet its vermi compost requirements.
"Nearly 97 percent of the vermi compost used in the region comes from outside Jammu and Kashmir. Local production remains very limited, despite the huge demand. This gap presents a significant opportunity for young entrepreneurs willing to invest in the sector," he said.
He added that the rapid expansion of high-density apple orchards and increasing interest in organic cultivation are expected to further boost the requirement for organic manure in the years ahead.
Haroon urged educated unemployed youth to explore entrepreneurship instead of relying solely on government employment. "There are several government schemes that provide financial assistance, technical guidance and training for establishing agricultural enterprises. Young people should make use of these opportunities to become job creators rather than job seekers," he said.
He appealed to the Agriculture Department to continue organising awareness programmes and technical training so that more youth can adopt innovative agricultural ventures.
Agriculture experts said the promotion of vermi compost units can contribute significantly to improving soil health, reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and strengthening the rural economy. They added that local production of organic manure would also reduce imports from other states while supporting environmentally sustainable farming practices across Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials from the Agriculture Department said initiatives like Haroon's demonstrate the growing interest among educated youth in agri-entrepreneurs—(KNO)