Success Story: This woman with a horticulture degree successfully revolutionised the vermicomposting business by turning waste into wealth

Success Story: Kolpi Dai has accomplished something that many find difficult: utilizing locally accessible resources, she has successfully launched a vermicomposting business at a young age while still working toward her horticulture degree. Her perseverance, foresight, and faith in the potential of sustainable innovation are shown by her path from helping her grandpa to starting a fully registered firm.

The Beginnings of a Green Business

Kolpi’s adventure started in 2015 when she was a horticulture student. She became interested in the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) program when she helped her grandpa construct a tiny vermicompost unit. “I began assisting my grandpa with his vermicomposting unit when I was still a college student. Over time, I became aware of this work’s potential, both monetarily and ecologically,” she remembers.

Her curiosity turned into ambition, and by 2020, she had officially incorporated Esem Organics LLP, her firm. Her business now generates over 12 tons of vermicompost a year, making a substantial contribution to the local organic agricultural sector.

Making Use of Local Innovation

Esem Organics stands out for its creative composting methods that use local biomass. Kolpi has experimented using water hyacinth, banana pseudostems, and other organic wastes that are easily accessible in the area, in contrast to typical vermicomposting, which mostly uses paddy straw and cow manure.

“Using banana pseudostems increases potassium content in the compost, which is vital for plant growth,” Kolpi says. “Water hyacinth, on the other hand, reduces composting time drastically, from 30 days with paddy straw to just 20–25 days.”

These developments provide ecologically friendly ways to handle local garbage in addition to enhancing the quality of nutrients. Kolpi has developed an effective and reproducible model by tailoring her techniques to the unique agro-climatic circumstances of Arunachal Pradesh.

Keeping Quality High and Scaling Wisely

From the beginning, quality control has been a top emphasis. When compared to conventional composting techniques, the compost generated at Esem Organics has shown a noticeable improvement in performance and is often submitted for nutritional analysis. She can make customized compost mixes that are appropriate for various crop requirements thanks to the diverse nutrient levels obtained from various substrates.

In response to a question about growth tactics, Kolpi discusses her intentions to enter online marketplaces. Our goods are now marketed in the local market, but we want to sell them on websites such as Amazon and work with state ministries to promote them at government events and agricultural fairs, she adds. She is getting ready to expand her influence around the area and beyond by fusing internet accessibility with offline outreach via occasions like Kisan Melas.

An Example of Resourcefulness and Frugality

It was difficult to get started, particularly for a student with little money. Kolpi used her own money to register her business and then progressively expanded its activities. Funding from the RKVY RAFTAAR program allowed her to build a full-fledged unit, which was her breakthrough.

“Even ₹10,000 is sufficient for those who are just starting out,” she suggests. “You may start with a single bed or even HDPE bags, using a small batch of vermiworms and kitchen trash as the substrate. You may scale up when the worms proliferate and the procedure becomes stable.

This strategy promotes self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods in addition to making entrepreneurship accessible, especially for women and young people in rural areas.

Technical know-how and a scientific perspective

The Australian redworm, Eisenia foetida, is used by Esem Organics. This species is favored worldwide because of its excellent composting efficiency and quick reproduction. According to Kolpi, “they breed quickly and are very effective in breaking down organic matter quickly.”

She has a significant advantage as a young entrepreneur who is both rooted in tradition and enlightened by science thanks to her degree of technical knowledge and practical experimentation.

Support for Funding and Policy: A guiding principle

Kolpi’s story emphasizes how crucial government initiatives are to fostering agribusiness owners. She aggressively urges people to look into state and federal government financing options. She said that early finance and mentoring are provided by programs like RKVY RAFTAAR and assistance from Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Parks.

She stresses the value of doing research and contacting incubation institutes that provide funds and advice. Kolpi, who just finished an internship at a Pasighat RAFTAAR center, thinks that institutional assistance might help close the gap between rural aspirations and successful entrepreneurship.

Difficulties and Adaptability

Esem Organics has its share of difficulties, just like any other business. The main challenges were juggling academics and business, logistical problems, and financial limitations. But Kolpi persevered because of her determination. “I wasn’t deterred by my lack of funds. She claims, “I worked hard, saved, and never gave up.”

Her narrative emphasizes the value of perseverance. She exhorts her other pupils to begin modestly, ask for assistance when necessary, and have faith in their capacity to change the world.

A Source of Motivation for Future Agripreneurs

Kolpi gives a sincere response when asked what guidance she would provide to young people who are hesitant to start their own business: “If you really want to do something, you will find a way.” Don’t wait for ideal circumstances. Build as you go, start small, and continue to learn. You can do it if I can.

At a time when the nation is advocating for a shift to sustainable techniques and organic farming, her remarks have a profound impact. As a natural and efficient soil enhancer, vermicompost is essential to this transition, and businesses like Esem Organics are leading the way.

Kolpi is leading the way in women-led enterprises, ecologically conscious farming, and rural entrepreneurship as she grows Esem Organics. Her narrative serves as a lighthouse for thousands of would-be agribusiness owners across India, particularly in the Northeast, demonstrating that all it takes is one compost bed and the guts to pursue your dreams.