Question 1

What is vermicompost and why is it better than chemical fertilizers?

Accepted Answer

Vermicompost is organic manure produced by earthworms decomposing organic waste. It is rich in macro and micro-nutrients, beneficial microbes and humic acids. Unlike chemical fertilizers, it improves soil structure, increases water retention and feeds the soil ecosystem — leading to long-term yield improvement without soil degradation.

Question 2

Where is Shree Radheyam Group located and do you offer delivery?

Accepted Answer

We are based in Karnal, Haryana (Shop No. 10, Street #01, Nirmal Vihar, Behind Sector 07 — 132001). We deliver across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and other states for bulk orders. Contact us at +91 79825-30030 for delivery arrangements.

Question 3

Is Shree Radheyam Group a registered exporter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Shree Radheyam Group is a certified organic exporter. Our products are produced under NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) standards, recognised under IFOAM equivalency, making them eligible for export to international markets worldwide.

Question 4

What is vermicompost and how is it made?

Accepted Answer

Vermicompost is nutrient-rich organic matter produced when earthworms digest and process organic waste — agricultural residues, food scraps and farm by-products. The process is called vermicomposting. Earthworms ingest the material, break it down in their gut with the help of microbes and excrete it as "castings" — a dark, crumbly, odour-free material that is one of the most potent natural soil amendments available.

Question 5

How is vermicompost different from regular pit compost?

Accepted Answer

Regular pit or heap compost relies on microbial decomposition at high temperatures. Vermicompost is produced at ambient temperature by earthworms, which speeds up decomposition 4–5× and produces a far more nutrient-dense and biologically active end product. Vermicompost contains more plant-available nutrients, beneficial microbes, plant growth hormones (auxins, cytokinins) and humic acids than conventional compost.

Question 6

Which earthworm species is used in Sattva Vermicompost and why?

Accepted Answer

Sattva Vermicompost uses Eisenia fetida (Red Wigglers) — the gold standard composting earthworm. Eisenia fetida is preferred because it thrives on organic waste (not native soil), can process its own weight in organic material every 24 hours, reproduces rapidly and produces castings with the highest nutrient and microbial density of any composting species.

Question 7

How does vermicompost improve soil health and structure?

Accepted Answer

Vermicompost improves soil in multiple ways simultaneously: it increases organic matter content, which binds soil particles into aggregates (improving structure and drainage); it boosts water-holding capacity by up to 40%; it introduces billions of beneficial microorganisms per gram; it supplies macro and micro-nutrients in plant-available form; and it produces humic acids that chelate nutrients and prevent leaching. The result is a living, productive soil rather than an inert growing medium.

Question 8

Can vermicompost fully replace chemical fertilizers?

Accepted Answer

Vermicompost can significantly reduce — and in many cases eliminate — the need for chemical fertilizers over time. Field trials at HAU Hisar show that Sattva Vermicompost can reduce chemical nitrogen inputs by 40–60% while maintaining or improving yields. In the first season, most farmers use vermicompost alongside reduced chemical inputs; by Year 2–3, as soil health improves, chemical dependency typically drops substantially. Full replacement depends on crop type, soil condition and target yield.

Question 9

How long does vermicompost remain active in the soil?

Accepted Answer

Vermicompost releases nutrients and supports microbial activity for 3–6 months after application, with a cumulative soil improvement effect that builds over multiple seasons. Unlike soluble chemical fertilizers, which are available immediately but leach quickly, vermicompost feeds the soil ecosystem gradually — each application improves the baseline quality of the soil for future crops.

Question 10

Is vermicompost safe for all crops — including vegetables and fruits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Vermicompost is suitable for all crops — field crops (wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane), vegetables (tomato, capsicum, onion, potato), fruits (mango, citrus, banana, grapes), flowers and nursery plants. It is especially beneficial for vegetables and fruits where soil organic matter, taste, colour and shelf life matter to buyers. No crop is harmed by correct application of mature, stabilised vermicompost.

Question 11

What is the shelf life of bagged vermicompost?

Accepted Answer

Sattva Vermicompost has a shelf life of 12 months when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Sealed packets maintain product quality and microbial activity for the full shelf life period. Avoid storing near chemical fertilizers or pesticides, as these can harm the beneficial microbial populations.

Question 12

What makes Sattva Vermicompost different from generic vermicompost?

Accepted Answer

Sattva Vermicompost is enriched with three additional microbial inoculants at the time of packaging: Trichoderma (a natural fungal biocontrol agent that protects against soil-borne diseases), Mycorrhiza (a root-colonising fungus that dramatically increases a plant's nutrient and water uptake) and Pseudomonas (a phosphate-solubilising bacterium that unlocks locked phosphorus in the soil). These are absent in most generic vermicompost products. Sattva is also validated by HAU Hisar and CSSRI Karnal through independent testing.

Question 13

When is the best time of year to apply vermicompost?

Accepted Answer

For optimal results, apply vermicompost 2–3 weeks before sowing or transplanting, so it integrates into the root zone before the crop establishes. A second application at the time of first irrigation or first top-dressing amplifies the effect. In continuous cropping systems, apply after each harvest before tillage. Avoid applying during peak summer heat or immediately before heavy rain, which can cause surface run-off before incorporation.

Question 14

What is Vermiwash and how is it different from vermicompost?

Accepted Answer

Vermiwash is a liquid bio-fertilizer collected by passing water through active vermicompost beds. As water percolates through, it picks up soluble nutrients, plant growth hormones (auxins, gibberellins), beneficial microorganisms and humic substances from the castings. Unlike solid vermicompost, Vermiwash is used as a foliar spray or liquid soil drench — delivering nutrients directly to leaves and the root zone with rapid uptake.

Question 15

How should Vermiwash be applied — foliar spray or soil drench?

Accepted Answer

Vermiwash can be used both ways. For foliar application, dilute 1 part Vermiwash with 10 parts water and spray on leaves in the early morning or evening — avoid midday heat which can cause burning. For soil application (drench), dilute 1:5 and apply at the root zone during irrigation. For best results, use it at key crop growth stages: transplanting, tillering/branching and fruit/grain fill.

Question 16

Can I order live earthworms and set up my own vermicompost unit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We supply live Eisenia fetida earthworms in 500 g, 1 kg and bulk quantities for unit setup. We also provide full unit setup support under our contract farming and unit setup programmes — including bed construction guidance, bedding material sourcing, initial stocking and training. Contact us at +91 79825-30030 or see our Unit Setup section in the catalogue.

Question 17

What are the ideal conditions for maintaining live earthworms?

Accepted Answer

Eisenia fetida thrives in: temperature 15–30°C (avoids extremes), moisture 60–70% (material should feel like a wrung-out sponge), pH 6.5–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral), darkness (they are photosensitive) and adequate organic feed (kitchen waste, farm residue, cow dung). Avoid feeding citrus, onion, meat, or dairy, which acidify the bed or attract pests. Good ventilation prevents anaerobic conditions.

Question 18

How quickly do earthworms reproduce and how much compost can one unit produce?

Accepted Answer

Under optimal conditions, Eisenia fetida doubles its population roughly every 60–90 days. A 1 kg starter population (approximately 1,000 worms) can grow to 4,000–5,000 worms within one season. A well-managed 100 sq. metre bed produces 2–3 metric tonnes of vermicompost per 60–90 day cycle — with ongoing cycles once the population is established.

Question 19

What packaging sizes are available for vermicompost?

Accepted Answer

Sattva Vermicompost is available in 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg packs. For institutional or bulk buyers, we supply loose compost in larger volumes — contact us for custom quantities and pricing.

Question 20

What is the shelf life of your vermicompost?

Accepted Answer

Sattva Vermicompost has a shelf life of 12 months when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Sealed packets maintain product quality and microbial activity for the full shelf life period.

Question 21

What earthworm species do you supply and what are they used for?

Accepted Answer

We supply Eisenia fetida (Red Wigglers) — the most efficient composting earthworm species. They are used to set up on-farm vermicompost units and convert organic waste into rich compost 4–5× faster than traditional composting.

Question 22

Do you supply organic food products?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under Shree Radheyam Organics LLP, we supply certified organic wheat, rice, pulses, jaggery, raw honey and seasonal produce. These are primarily available to institutional buyers and food companies. Contact us for availability and quantities.

Question 23

Do you supply to government agencies, NGOs and agri-companies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We supply to government agricultural departments, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations), NGOs, agri-input distributors and corporate farms. We offer customised packaging, FSSAI-compliant documentation and dedicated account management for institutional clients.

Question 24

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for bulk orders?

Accepted Answer

For institutional buyers, the minimum order is typically 1 metric tonne (MT) for vermicompost. Vermiwash and live earthworm MOQs vary — contact our institutional sales team at info@radheyam.com or +91 79825-30030 for a formal quotation.

Question 25

What certifications do your products carry?

Accepted Answer

Our products are produced under NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) standards — India's official organic certification. We provide quality test reports for each batch. For institutional procurement, we assist with all documentation requirements. Full certification details available on request.

Question 26

Can you provide custom-branded packaging for resale?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer white-label and custom-branded packaging for distributors and agri-companies at qualifying order volumes. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.

Question 27

What is the contract farming programme and who can join?

Accepted Answer

Our programme enables farmers to set up vermicompost production units on their own land with our full support — we provide earthworms, training, technical guidance and guaranteed buyback of all produce. Any farmer with at least 50 sq. metres of covered space can apply.

Question 28

What is the assured buyback guarantee?

Accepted Answer

We contractually commit to purchasing 100% of the vermicompost produced by enrolled farmers at a pre-agreed price. This eliminates market risk and gives farmers a predictable, stable income from organic farming.

Question 29

How much can a farmer earn from the contract farming programme?

Accepted Answer

Earnings depend on the scale of your unit. A standard 100 sq. metre setup typically yields 2–3 MT of vermicompost per cycle (approx. 60–90 days). Contact our team for a detailed ROI calculation tailored to your land and capacity.

Question 30

Can Radheyam supply vermicompost for export?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Shree Radheyam Enterprises exports NPOP-certified organic inputs to international buyers. Our products are recognised under IFOAM equivalency, making them eligible for import in multiple international markets. We handle all export documentation on request.

Question 31

What is the minimum order for international export?

Accepted Answer

We accept trial orders from 500 kg for new international buyers. The minimum commercial order quantity (MOQ) for regular shipments is 1 metric tonne. Contact us at harpal@radheyam.com to discuss your requirements and request a quote.

Question 32

What export documentation do you provide?

Accepted Answer

All standard export documentation is available on request for each shipment — including phytosanitary certificates, certificates of analysis (per batch), certificates of origin and NPOP organic certification. Country-specific import requirements are assessed on a per-order basis.

Question 33

Is NPOP certification recognised internationally?

Accepted Answer

Yes. India's NPOP certification is recognised under IFOAM equivalency agreements, making it accepted for organic imports in multiple international markets. We can provide documentation confirming NPOP recognition for your specific import country on request.

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