A day-long workshop on vermicomposting and natural farming held today for the women Self Help Groups at the office of Barpathar Municipal Board. The workshop has been organised under the aegis of Barpathar Municipal Board and supported by District Agriculture Office of Golaghat.

The Chairman of Barpathar Municipal Board Sanjib Baruah delivered the welcome speech and briefed the key agendas of the workshop to Invitees; Key Speaker, Associate Speaker and Participants.

The Assistant Commissioner of Sarupathar Sutrishna Bordoloi, ACS briefed the advantages and future scopes of Vermicomposting to the members of Self Help Groups. The Key Speaker of the workshop: Deputy Project Director of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) - Golaghat Tapan Kr. Mahanta said that the most important aspect of compost produced by earthworms is that it is 100% organic. There are no harmful chemicals and it is not required to mix with anything.The most significant benefit is that the nutrients in earthworm compost are very easily absorbed by the roots of plants. Unlike chemical fertilizers, vermicompost is not easily flushed from the soil because of the worm mucus that it contains. Plants are able to derive maximum benefit from this organic mixture. An open-air interaction programme was also organized where several queries of budding farmers were answered by Deputy Project Director of ATMA, Golaghat Tapan Kr. Mahanta particularly on natural input production and natural farming. 

"Biswajit Phukan is one of the charismatic leaders of Assam. It is the aura of his personality carved out of sheer grit and determination that shines when he says, 'Once we have decided to do something, then we can go miles ahead in achieving that objective'. What I, fortunately, foresee in MLA Sarupathar Biswajit Phukan is him turning into a powerhouse leader, positively influencing his followers, in particular, and citizens in general." - Abhishek Singha quoted in his speech.

According to the sources, a total of two sessions including Theory and Hands-on training of low-cost vermicompost preparation were conducted by: Dy. Project Director ATMA - Golaghat Tapan Kr. Mahanta and Research Technician of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)APART Abhishek Singha. They briefed the participants about Biological advantages; Vermicomposting materials; Methods of vermicomposting; Phases of vermicomposting; Steps followed for vermicompost preparation; Preventive measures; Advantages of vermicompost; Demand for vermicomposting units and Future of vermicompost in Assam.

The Chairman of Barpathar Municipal Board Sanjib Baruah expressed his thanks to the Assistant Commissioner Sutrishna Bordoloi, District Agricultural Officer Ranjit Kr. Sarmah, Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer (Golaghat H.Q.) Krishna Ranjan Saikia, Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer Mridul Kr. Sarmah, Deputy Project Director of ATMA Golaghat Tapan Kr. Mahanta and Research Technician of IRRI - APART Abhishek Singha for making the workshop a great success. Besides the role of an associate speaker, the Research Technician of IRRI, APART Abhishek Singha also played the responibility of a liaison agent in connection with the workshop.  

Ward Commissioners and leading citizens were attended the workshop. A total of 93  participants has been participated in the workshop. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by the Vice Chairman of Barpathar Municipal Board.