From Grief to Growth: How One Woman Built a Successful Organic Fertilizer Business

Transforming Tragedy into Triumph

GUWAHATI, July 24: A small initiative aimed at supporting her family after her husband's passing has blossomed into a thriving organic fertilizer business generating Rs 85 lakh annually.

Kanika Talukdar, hailing from Nalbari district, has successfully established a vermicomposting venture that not only supplies organic products throughout the North East but also trains over 5,000 individuals in sustainable agricultural practices.

Initially, Talukdar's investment of Rs 500 in a modest vermicomposting unit in Barjhar village was driven by necessity rather than entrepreneurial ambition. Following the untimely death of her husband, she found herself solely responsible for her daughter and in need of a reliable income source.

With limited resources and opportunities, she began creating vermicompost from organic waste available in her surroundings.

“I started this venture to support my family. At that time, I never envisioned it would evolve into such a significant business. However, as I recognized the demand for organic products, I began to treat it more seriously,” she shared.

Today, her initiative has evolved into Jayatu Organic Products, which has been operational since 2014, producing vermicompost and live earthworm fertilizers marketed under the brand Jay Vermi Compost.

The company now caters to a diverse clientele, including farmers, nurseries, agricultural institutions, and government agencies across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Securing contracts with organizations like Assam Seeds Corporation Ltd. has bolstered the business's reputation and facilitated its expansion beyond local markets.

In addition to her business success, Talukdar has empowered over 5,000 individuals by teaching them vermicomposting and sustainable farming techniques. Her enterprise also provides direct and indirect employment to 12 individuals, seven of whom are women.

“While revenue is crucial for sustainability, my greatest fulfillment comes from seeing someone acquire a skill that enhances their livelihood,” she remarked.

The next stage of her business growth was supported by the National Rural Economic Transformation Project Incubator Programme in Assam. This initiative, executed by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park in collaboration with the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission, offers mentorship, financial training, business planning, and market access to rural enterprises. It has enabled her company to enhance financial management, streamline production, and lower logistics expenses, while also connecting her to digital marketplaces and institutional buyers.

Despite establishing a successful local business, Talukdar encountered typical challenges faced by grassroots enterprises, such as bookkeeping, production planning, logistics, digital integration, and reaching a broader customer base.

Her contributions to sustainable farming have earned her accolades at both state and national levels, including recognition from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Additionally, she was honored as a ‘Thematic Winner’ in the livelihoods category at the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge 2025.

By

Staff Reporter