From biodegradable scrap turned into compost, waste has been used to transform into a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for chemical fertilizers. Farmers of Gedrijan village in Naduar Development Block of Sonitpur District, Assam used their house waste to make environmentally sustainable compost.

Gedrijan was going through the formidable dual challenge of low yield and declining productivity. To make the situation worse, the soaring costs of chemical fertilizers were threatening the livelihood of the farmers.

The year 2022 brought a turning point when Gedrijan village was included in phase IV of the Caritas India FARM Northeast program. Courageous female farmers voiced the community’s plight with the FARM North East Team. The team suggested the establishment of a Community Compost Bank to not only increase productivity but also generate income by selling the surplus.

Supported by FARM Northeast partner Tezpur Social Service Society (TSSS), 15 women embarked on a journey of learning and underwent training on vermicompost and weed compost preparation within the village.

Equipped with the new skill and vermicompost kits, they designated a shaded communal area for compost manufacturing. TSSS’s suggestion to initiate a ‘Compost Bank’ aimed not only to restore soil fertility but also to provide a sustainable earning opportunity for the collective, fostering support for smallholders through collective action.

By October 2023, the Community ‘Compost Bank’ was operational, spearheaded by the active participation of the women farmers. Collectively, they established a central composting point, rallying the community to collect organic waste from households and other sources. Ms. Chelina Beck, a member of the collective, said, “We started collecting waste from our homes and other spots, transporting them to our composting centres for processing.”

On-field trials validated the efficacy of the compost, showing significant improvements in soil health and fertility, which in turn increased summer crop yields, especially in backyard gardens. Encouraged by this success, the collective began selling their compost in the village and nearby markets, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response. The compost not only managed organic waste effectively but also emerged as a cost-efficient and sustainable alternative for village farmers.

Currently, the collective markets its vermicompost through outlets along National Highway and within the village, having sold 205 kgs and generating Rs. 3,075 in revenue. The initiative has enhanced economic resilience, as farmers are no longer dependent on expensive chemical fertilizers, and the additional income supports their families.

Gedrijan’s narrative exemplifies the transformative potential of collective action and sustainable farming practices. The Community Compost Bank stands as an innovative approach, fostering unity among smallholders while addressing soil fertility concerns, thereby safeguarding food security for future generations. Wilson Kandulna, Field Programme Associate at TSSS, affirmed, “This has aided in preserving soil fertility, ensuring food security in the long term.”

This initiative significantly strengthens the traditional socio-economic, governance, and health systems through collective actions, which focuses on making small farms resilient while maintaining a sustainable natural resource base. The empowered communities of Gedrijan are now more confident, their living conditions have improved, and they are better equipped to face future challenges.