Utilizing livestock waste solids as bioresource for socio-economic sustainability: a report from rural India

Abstract

This work illustrates the overview of vermitechnology as sustainable socio-economic venture for rural livelihood in some parts of State Rajasthan, India. The northern part of the State Rajasthan is rich in livestock population and animal husbandry is an integral part of rural livelihood. Traditionally, the livestock excreta which are produced in huge quantity either utilized as rural energy resources or manure in agriculture plots. In recent years, people of this region are utilizing livestock excreta as resources for vermicomposting to convert negligible wastes into some value-added products, i.e. vermicompost and earthworm biomass. The end-product not only valuable in terms of eco-sustainability but also appeared as economic venture for rural farmer communities. The overall scenario of vermitechnology in rural Rajasthan, India is presented by analyzing information collected through systematic studies (field observations, data collection form individual farmers, personal interviews etc.)