In Nepal, Earthworms Foster Entrepreneurship For Bimala
How organic waste is helping communities thrive in the Himalayas.
In the Himalayan village of Chisapani, Nepal, a cow shed and a vermicompost pit sit beside a small house where Bimala, 40, lives with her husband, three children, and grandfather.
For Bimala, her home is far more than just a shelter. It’s where, for over a decade, she’s grown vegetables like cucumbers, rice, and chilies, both to feed her large family and to sell. She recalls times when money was so tight that her family would sometimes go three to four days before they could gather enough funds for food. “During tough times, I was often worried about how we would make ends meet. The uncertainty of not knowing where the next meal would come from was overwhelming,” she shared. “There were moments when I felt helpless, but I knew I had to keep pushing forward for my family.”
Before her husband took a job as a labourer, she would work alongside him in their vegetable field, but a chronic shortage of fertiliser made it difficult to produce regular crops.
A turning point came in 2022, when she enrolled in the agricultural vermicomposting’ project run by iDE and P&G. The method, which is environmentally friendly and improves soil quality, relies on earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrients to be used as fertiliser for crops. As an alternative to synthetic fertiliser, the method increases the diversity of vegetables for family plots like Bimala’s, increasing incomes and family nutrition. Over time, vermicomposting also promotes biodiversity, reduces the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, and boosts crop yields year-round for farmers.
Bimala from Nepal, has transformed her family's life through an agricultural vermicomposting project. Now a successful entrepreneur, she supports her family, shares her agricultural knowledge with her community, and advocates for women's financial independence through farming. Credit: iDE
With initial support from iDE Nepal, including earthworms and a starter pit, Bimala implemented vermicomposting at home, inspired by the success of other local entrepreneurs she met on a visit to the nearby villages of Surkhet and Nepalgunj.
In her first year, Bimala produced 1,000 kg of vermicompost, resulting in a great cucumber yield and earnings of 20,000 rupees. By the second year, she had expanded her vermicomposting setup, joined a local savings cooperative, and used her profits to support her household and children's education. Today, as a successful woman entrepreneur, Bimala financially supports her husband and shares her agricultural knowledge with her community, advocating for women’s financial independence through farming as a business.
"This has truly transformed my life. Initially, I was unsure if it would work, but seeing the results firsthand filled me with pride and confidence,” she said. “It wasn’t just about earning money—it was about realising my potential and knowing that I could make a real difference for my family.”
Written by Thinley Ghale, Communications Officer at iDE Nepal. Stay connected with iDE Nepal on our social channels here.