Question : PROMOTION OF VERMICULTURE



(a) whether the Government have undertaken any project/scheme to promote Vermiculture to prepare manure from biodegradable waste;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the assistance provided to the States for this purose?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)


(a) to (c): The Government of India is promoting the use of various sources of organic manures as a supplementary source of nutrients to crops including vermi compost. Promotion of `vermi culture` for preparation of vermi compost from biodegradable waste has been made as one of the activities in the Centrally Sponsored Technology Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture in North Eastern States including Sikkim which has been sanctioned in May, 2001. To establish vermi compost units under this scheme, funds upto Rs.30,000 per unit are provided. During the current year, Rs.6.0 lakhs have been sanctioned for North-Eastern States including Sikkim to establish 20 vermi compost units.