Women in Arunachal’s Siang are turning waste into a livelihood revolution

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: What began as a modest pilot in April 2023 has now grown into a quiet revolution in sustainability and women-led enterprise in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

A vermicomposting initiative aimed at managing organic waste and creating livelihood opportunities is today transforming lives in Pangin, Moli, and Moruk villages in the district, with a gross income of Rs 4.22 lakh already generated.

The project's roots trace back to a strategic intervention by state Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing, whose timely funding support laid the groundwork for what has now become a model of ecological innovation and rural self-reliance.

Firm in his belief in sustainable grassroots development, Tasing's backing catalysed a transformation led by women.

Spearheaded by Circle Officer Niyang Pertin and Block Mission Manager Karik Yirang under the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM), the project brought together five Self Help Groups (SHGs) - Nyobo Ane, Mitung Ane, Nane, Lune, and Aane Siang.

Each was equipped with vermi-beds, high-yielding red wiggler worms, and training by experts from the Pasighat College of Horticulture & Forestry and East Siang Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

As of July, the SHGs have completed nine harvest cycles, producing a total of 8,440 kg of cent per cent organic vermicompost. Known for its purity and quality, the compost has earned Rs 4.22 lakh in sales, proceeds which are being reinvested to expand infrastructure, replenish worm stock, and procure raw materials, ensuring the project's long-term viability.

More than just economic relief, the initiative has sparked real empowerment.

Local women now manage production schedules, handle bulk orders over WhatsApp, and mentor nearby villages looking to replicate their success.

One member of the Nane SHG shared that the added income has helped meet essential household needs while also boosting the group's collective fund, allowing investments in children's education and family health.

"True empowerment happens when people are given resources along with the belief in their own potential," Minister Tasing reflected.

In a gesture of support, he also personally procured 750 kg of Pangin's vermicompost for his own organic farm, an endorsement of the product's superior quality, free from the sand and chemical fillers found in many commercial brands.

Inspired by Pangin's success, Kebang Sole village embarked on its own green journey in February this year under the district's Clean Model Village initiative.

An abandoned garbage pit was transformed into a productive vermi-bed with support from the Pangin BMMU.

Farmer and Nyobo Ane SHG member Oyini Dupak provided training and even donated 500 grams of red wiggler worms. On July 7, the village marked its first harvest, 78 kg of compost, earning Rs 3,900 and signalling a promising beginning.

The vermicomposting movement in Siang is more than a financial initiative. It is a grassroots transformation rooted in sustainability, resilience, and the enduring strength of community-driven change.

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