Micro movements of change
Documentary: Creating self-sustaining local communities
Watch this documentary about a micro movement which has led to the emergence of a supply chain which is taking shape through growing peer-to-peer networks. It started with a middle aged woman setting up an enterprise for the first time and becoming a local aggregator.
About Asha Devi and Koman Vermicompost
In the heart of the bustling Dhannipatti village of Mirzapur is the vibrant backyard of the very popular — Asha Devi’s home. As you walk deep into the narrow lanes, do not let the smell of cow dung distract you, as you are very likely to be in the scrutiny of a camera when you arrive at a vermicomposting enterprise adjacent to her courtyard. The courtyard, most often, is likely to be bustling all day with visitors — friends, family members — as they sip on the ‘sweet’ tea served by their host.
In February 2018, Asha attended a community meeting where she shared her desire to add an additional source to her family income, to improve the lifestyle of her three children. As is the norm for many middle aged women in the community, Asha wanted to work from home. During meetings that followed, she toyed with various ideas, such as sewing and pickle making, but somehow these did not resonate with her personality.
In March 2018, Asha came across the idea of setting up a vermicomposting enterprise, which required cow dung as the main raw material. She already had four cows, and waste from livestock was abundantly available at her home. Understanding the scope and potential of vermicompost in her village, she decided to explore the idea, and travelled to Bundelkhand for a peer-to-peer learning session with a women-led Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO). During her visit, Asha understood the vermicompost manufacturing and packaging process. “My sisters in Bundelkhand have motivated me, and given me the confidence to start my enterprise and scale it to heights”, she said.
Confident of the potential of the product in the market, Asha set up a vermicompost manufacturing enterprise in her village in May 2018, just three weeks after her visit to Bundelkhand. That very month, a stakeholder coalition meeting between enterprise support service providers and other entrepreneurs was held in Mirzapur. Asha decided to attend the meeting, and connected with a local FPO. The FPO supplied her with two composting beds and two kilograms of earthworms at a reasonable interest rate to kick start the setup of ‘Komal Vermicompost Enterprise’ — named after Asha’s youngest daughter. Her four cows ensured that the main raw material was always available. In September 2018, she paid back the amount owed to the FPO, and made her enterprise debt free — and thus began her story of business game and fame. At this point, Asha had started making a profit of two thousand rupees per month, with a startup investment of only seven thousand rupees.
While her enterprise is growing smoothly now, it wasn’t always the case. During her first business cycle, she faced challenges as the worms in her composting pits were stolen. To make sure this never happens again, Asha infamously put up security cameras to guard her enterprise. Over time, she has developed an unbeatable business acumen, and has been able to identify a niche market for her product. Her high quality compost is supplied in finely packaged bags to nursery owners, at a premium price. Realising the untapped potential in the market, Asha has turned her ‘social networks’ into economic ones, by using these to expand her enterprise.
She employed two more women to keep the production running, and is now aggregating produce from two smaller vermicompost manufacturing entrepreneurs — Ashok and Krishna Kumar. She provides technical assistance for quality production, purchases the compost at ten rupees per kilogram (ensuring a profit of seven rupees per kilogram for Ashok and Krishna), and sells it in the market for twenty rupees per kilogram. Ashok shares, “My produce has an assured market now. The tie up with [Asha] will ensure business growth for me, and others.” Moreover, leveraging more peer-to-peer networks that have emerged in her community, Asha recently finalised a deal with a nursery owner for a monthly order of ten quintals, at twenty two rupees per kilogram.
Asha’s story is one that truly demonstrates entrepreneurial progression. From being a passive member of a women’s group — not engaged in any productive activity — Asha Devi has a clear vision of growth for her enterprise now. She shares, “I have a plan to make ‘Komal Vermicompost Enterprise’ a private limited company in two years.” This progression is also reflected in her personality, as she is more confident about bettering the quality of life for her family. Having overcome her hesitation to take risks, her determination and persistence as a daughter of the soil continues to inspire.
