Meet the organic compost celebrities of northern Bangladesh

“Now we can do it ourselves”

Once Radhika learned what to do, the family business flourished.

“The process to make good fertilizer is easy,” she says. “Everyone can learn it, man, woman, and elderly.”

One of the main innovations they learned through the training offered by JANO, in partnership with Bangladesh government’s Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), was to use a different type of compost.

“Traditionally, we farmers used chemical fertilizers, which attract insects. But this compost doesn’t,” Mohine says.

In addition to acquiring technical expertise, the JANO group also got compost essentials, like ring containers and a shed.

And, of course, worms.

The changemakers and the changing community

After the training, Radhika’s business grew substantially. Earlier, they would only use cow dung from their own livestock, but because of the new demand from farmers, they needed dung from other households as well.

One ton of cow dung costs around $22, and since the whole process can take up to three weeks, it was a risky venture. But the family felt like it was worth it.

“Not so long ago, we faced financial hardships, struggling to afford basic necessities like food and clothing. That’s when we ventured into the compost business,” Mohine says. “Gradually, we managed to meet some of our needs, and now we sell our product countrywide.”

Radhika and Mohine currently generate a monthly income of approximately $330 which is equivalent to around 36,500 taka in Bangladesh. Before venturing into this business, they were solely involved in agriculture like most other villagers, earning around $45 per month. Their income has surged by over seven times since then.

The impact of this venture has been nothing short of life-changing for Radhika and Mohine. What is even more heartening is that their success is also rippling through their community. Their neighbors are not only excited about this business but also eager to join in. The couple is sharing their knowledge and training others to start their own organic fertilizer journey.

“We are inspired by the Roy family,” Basonti, one of Mohine and Radhika’s neighbors says.

“Now, with their guidance, we too can earn better by producing organic fertilizer.”

She is taking the first steps with one smaller ring container, and with the dung produced by her two cows.

“Currently, we are using it in our own fields, but we are determined to expand and start selling it as well.”

Radhika and Mohine also use their own fertilizer for farming on their own fields, and the results have been outstanding.

“Since we began utilizing our homegrown fertilizer, the production has increased drastically, and the vegetables have virtually doubled in size,” Mohine says. “We’re now able to not only feed our family with the harvest but also sell the surplus crops, creating an additional source of income.”

Going online, countrywide clientele

Radhika and Mohine’s eldest son, Sonaton, 19, played a pivotal role in taking the family business to new heights. He came up with the idea of using online marketing and platforms like Facebook to create ads for the business, and so now the family now boasts an impressive following of 5,000 supporters, and their business has blossomed beyond their expectations.

“It’s incredible what my son has achieved,” Mohine says. “His online marketing has been a game-changer for us. In the past, we primarily sold our products at half the price to local villagers. Now, our products find homes across the expanse of Bangladesh.”

The shift from struggling to sell their products to having more orders than they can handle is phenomenal.

“We are extremely delighted. Now I get so many calls from all over the country. We can now save money. We have already built a larger, more comfortable home. Our plan is to expand our business even further. I sometimes feel like a celebrity.”