SHILLONG: Regular composting can be a long process but a new technique called the Berkeley Composting method being implemented in the State can go on to become the National model if it proves to be effective in Meghalaya.
This was informed by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Aparajita Sarangi while addressing a gathering on the third day of the exchange programme of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNERGA) here on Saturday.
The Berkeley Composting method, which involves rapid composting, was used by a group in Uttar Pradesh and several engineers from Meghalaya were sent to the north Indian state to learn the technique.
In fact, the fast method of composting was first introduced by Robert D. Raabe, a plant pathology professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The common names for this method are “Berkeley method,” “fast composting,” or “hot composting.
Under this model, the composting does not take months but only 18 days. With this model, the Government intends to help families to enhance their livelihood.
Compared to traditional method, more yields of finished compost are produced in the Berkeley method.
Meanwhile, during the programme, Sarangi also observed that MGNREGA was moving from social security to social entrepreneurship and pointed out that the Ministry of Rural Development was bringing in simplicity in the implementation of the programme.
Expressing happiness at the VECs’ sense of ownership over the programme, she, however, stressed the need to impart technical training to them in a time bound manner.
While assuring of funds from the Ministry, the joint secretary spoke about the need to go for massive convergence and urged the state to have a “State Convergence Plan”.
She also said that the 3,793 youths in the State under MGNREGA should be given training in order to tackle the severe dearth of technical personnel in MGNREGA.
These trained youths can become “barefoot” technicians, she added.
“Barefoot” technicians usually measure the work undertaken by the department besides ascertaining its quality.
At the moment around 5-6 technical assistants have been appointed in each district.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was all praise for MGNREGA stating that the scheme was a wonderful initiative not only to ensure funneling of resources for sustainable rural development but for providing jobs to the rural masses.
Stating that there was need to create an enabling environment for convergence, he added that IBDLP can provide the platform to facilitate convergence with MGNREGA.
He also informed that the Meghalaya Institute of Governance will facilitate training of VECs.
Commissioner & Secretary, C & RD Department, Meghalaya, Sampath Kumar earlier gave the keynote address on MGNREGA in Meghalaya and highlighted new initiatives and focus areas for 2016-17 including saturation of individual livelihood enhancement works, introduction of 18 day compost in villages to promote organic agriculture in the State among others.
The exchange programme was attended by VECs from all districts of the state besides representatives from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
