Economic Viability of Organic Vegetable Cultivation through Vermicompost Integration

Abstract

Background: Organic farming systems integrated with on-farm input generation are increasingly recognised for their potential to enhance farm profitability, resource-use efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Vermicomposting, in particular, provides a cost-effective source of organic nutrients while creating an additional income stream for farmers. Aim: This study evaluated the economic viability of organic vegetable cultivation integrated with on-farm vermicompost production under chemical-free farming conditions in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methodology: The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–2026 at the College of Horticulture, Chinalataripi, on a 784 m² vegetable cultivation area supported by a 150 m² vermicomposting unit. Nineteen vegetable crops representing cucurbits, solanaceous vegetables, leafy vegetables, tuber crops, and legumes were cultivated using exclusively organic inputs. Vermicompost was produced from locally available organic residues using Eisenia foetida earthworms. Economic indicators including gross income, net profit, benefit–cost ratio (BCR), and return on investment (ROI) were calculated. Results: The vermicomposting unit produced 1,000 kg of vermicompost within six months, generating a net profit of Rs. 9,000 and a BCR of 1:1.82. Organic vegetable cultivation incurred an external input cost of Rs. 2,830 and generated a gross income of Rs. 22,000, resulting in a net profit of Rs. 19,170. The system achieved a BCR of 1:7.77 and an ROI of 677.4%. Leafy vegetables contributed the highest share of total income (47.5%). Integration of vermicompost production with crop cultivation increased total net income to Rs. 28,170 per season. Economic projections indicated that the model remains profitable and scalable at the one-acre level. Conclusion: Vermicompost-integrated organic vegetable cultivation is a financially viable, environmentally sustainable, and scalable production system that can enhance farm income while reducing dependence on external inputs.