Integration of Green Technologies for Rural Empowerment through Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Conventional agricultural practices primarily comprise use of synthetic agrochemical for plant disease management, plant growth and higher yield. However, these practices impose serious threat to environment and human health. Growing awareness in public about harmful effects of agrochemicalhas increased the demand for safer alternatives. In this context, application of agriculturally important microorganisms (AIMs) offers sustainable and ecofriendly alternate to the chemical counterparts. AIMs are now being commercialized as biopesticides and biofertilizers. Various low cost technologies for mass production of AIMs were developed and popularized at village level. Vermicompost production from temple waste is such a technique which offers proper disposal of floral offerings from the temples. Vermicompost is proved to be an ideal carrier for the AIMs. Role of vermicompost in plant growth promotion and disease management has been studied well.