A 200-hour Skill training programme on “Farm Waste to Income: Vermicomposting Production for Sustainable Livelihood of Rural Youths” was inaugurated at the ICAR KVK Dimapur Conference Hall on 17th August 2026.
        The programme aims to impart practical and technical knowledge on vermicomposting and its potential as an income-generating enterprise for rural youths. The training will cover various aspects of vermicomposting, including identification and selection of suitable earthworm species, different methods of vermicomposting, preparation of vermicompost beds, utilization of different types of organic waste, quality parameters of vermicompost, vermiwash preparation, and establishment of vermicomposting units.
        The inaugural session began with the welcome address by Dr. Bendangla Imsong, Chief Technical Officer (Plant Breeding), followed by an introduction to the training activities by Mr. Gulshan Kumar, SMS (Horticulture). The Chief Guest, Dr. R. L. Raut, Director, Central Institute of Horticulture, Medziphema, Nagaland, addressed the participants and highlighted the importance of skill-oriented agricultural training for promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities and encouraged the participants to make effective use of the knowledge and skills acquired during the training.
        The training programme also focuses on practical aspects such as establishment of vermicomposting units, use of vermicompost in kitchen gardening, demonstration of vermicompost application, entrepreneurship development, business opportunities in vermicomposting, and integrated mushroom and vermicompost production for sustainable income.
        The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Marneni Divya Sree, SMS (Agricultural Extension), ICAR-KVK Dimapur. The training is expected to equip rural youths with the technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills required to convert farm waste into a valuable resource while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through vermicompost production.