Composting Units
Vermicompost
DDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Zaheerabad operates a Vermicompost and Vermiwash Demonstration Unit as a core facility supporting organic, natural, and low-input farming systems in semi-arid conditions. Production is carried out using cow dung from indigenous cattle and scientifically maintained earthworm cultures, ensuring consistent quality and field reliability.
The vermicompost produced at DDS-KVK is characterized by high organic carbon (9.5–17.98%), balanced macro-nutrients (N, P, K), and rich secondary and micronutrient content (Ca+Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu), validated through laboratory analysis. The product is widely used in OFTs, FLDs, fruit orchards, vegetable systems, and natural farming demonstrations, with recommended application of 1.0–1.5 t acre⁻¹ as basal dose, either alone or blended with FYM.
DDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (DDS KVK) promotes vermicomposting and vermiwash not merely as organic nutrient management practices, but as effective tools for farmer-led learning, women’s empowerment, and rural youth skill development within Natural Farming systems.
What is Special about DDS KVK Approach?
The uniqueness of DDS KVK lies in its community-centred, women-led and ecology-based extension model. Unlike conventional extension systems, DDS KVK works closely with sanghams, women farmers, and rural youth to ensure that knowledge is locally relevant, practically demonstrated, and socially inclusive.
Key distinguishing features of DDS KVK include:
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Women-Centric Extension: Most trainings and demonstrations are conducted with women farmers as primary knowledge holders and practitioners.
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Learning by Doing: Emphasis on hands-on, field-based training rather than classroom-only instruction.
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Use of Local Resources: Composting and liquid inputs are prepared using locally available biomass, crop residues, and cattle-based inputs.
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Integration with Natural Farming and Biodiversity: Practices are linked with millet-based farming systems, soil health regeneration, and climate resilience.
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Community Institutions as Knowledge Hubs: Sanghams, community seed banks, and farmer field schools serve as centres of learning and dissemination.
DDS KVK uses vermicomposting units as live training laboratories where women farmers and rural youth acquire practical skills in:
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Scientific compost preparation and quality management
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Earthworm culture and maintenance
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Waste recycling and nutrient management
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Cost reduction and input self-reliance
Women-led vermicompost units are established at household and community levels, enabling participants to:
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Improve soil fertility on their own farms
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Reduce expenditure on chemical fertilizers
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Generate supplementary income through surplus compost sales
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Gain confidence as local resource persons and trainers
Role in Capacity Building of Women and Rural Youth
Rural youth are trained in unit design, scaling, entrepreneurship, and record keeping, encouraging agri-based livelihood opportunities.
DDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Zaheerabad has developed a site-specific Enriched Compost formulation tailored to the soil fertility constraints of semi-arid and rainfed farming systems. The formulation is prepared using a scientifically balanced combination of vermicompost, farmyard manure (FYM), and goat manure, drawing on years of field experience, on-farm trials, and continuous feedback from farmers.
Uniqueness of the DDS–KVK Enriched Compost
The Enriched Compost is a KVK-developed, non-commercial formulation, prepared exclusively at DDS–KVK. Unlike generic composts, it is designed to address local challenges such as low soil organic carbon, poor soil structure, and micronutrient deficiencies common in dryland soils. The formulation reflects DDS KVK’s participatory and location-specific approach to soil health management.
Enriched Compost Unit – DDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Zaheerabad
Role in Soil Health Improvement
Field demonstrations conducted by DDS KVK have clearly shown that the Enriched Compost:
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Enhances soil organic carbon and biological activity
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Improves soil structure, aggregation, and moisture retention
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Supplies balanced macro- and micro-nutrients in a slow-release form
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Ensures sustained crop response across multiple seasons, rather than one-time yield increases
The compost has been successfully demonstrated in millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and other rainfed crops under Natural Farming systems.
For more details:
Mr. E. Swamy, Programme Assistant Soil Science
Mob: 9676136128
NADEP Compost
NADEP compost is a low-cost, eco-friendly and efficient method of producing high-quality organic manure using locally available farm residues. DDS Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) promotes NADEP composting as an integral component of Natural Farming and sustainable agriculture systems, especially suited to dryland and rainfed regions.
What is NADEP Compost?
NADEP compost is prepared in a brick-lined rectangular tank where crop residues, green biomass, cow dung slurry, soil, and water are layered systematically. The method was developed by Shri Narayan Deorao Pandharipande (NADEP) and is widely recognized for producing nutrient-rich compost in a short period with minimal external input