The Chhattisgarh government has increased the minimum selling rate of vermicompost produced in gothans from Rs 8 to a minimum of Rs 10 per kg, it was announced on Saturday.
In a first-of-its-kind, a cow dung procurement scheme named as Godhan Nyay Yojana was been started in July and cow dung is purchased from villagers, farmers and cattlemen at Rs 2 per kg, an official release said.
So far, Rs 59.08 crore has been paid by the government in the bank accounts of 1.36 lakh cow dung sellers under the scheme, it added.
Cow dung is bought through 4,487 gothans out of 6,430 approved under Suraji Gaon Yojana, the release said.
So far, 44,000 tanks have been made and 16,000 are under construction in gothans to make vermicompost from cow dung.
Till now, 8,000 quintals of vermicompost have been produced and 1,000 quintals sold in the state, it said.
Scores of women self-help groups are working to make vermicompost from cow dung in gothans and their income will rise by increasing the minimum selling price of vermicompost, the release said.