Determining the potential and opportunities of Vermicompost technology development of Kermanshah Province

Entrepreneurial ventures provide new opportunities that help rural livelihood in employment and income which in turn enhance economic conditions. One of the income generating opportunities is to use animal, agricultural and household wastes in Vermicompost production that would help to diversity farmer's income. Vermicompost technology has an economical, social, cultural, and environmental dimension. However, this technology has not yet developed extensively across Kermanshah Province. The development of Vermicompost technology in Kermanshah Province would provide sustainable rural livelihood, employment, food security, and healthy food. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the potential and opportunities of developing Vermicompost production during the years of 1391-1392. Using purposeful sampling, a total of 21 Vermicompost producers with at least 2 years of experience from a population of 52 producers participated in this study. Data was collected using observation, deep and semi-structured interview. Collected data was analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Results revealed that Vermicompost production has the following characteristics across studied areas: Sound production capacities, ease of production process with high profit, storage and ease of transportation, diverse application of its byproducts in agriculture and industry, export opportunities within and across Provinces, employment opportunities, and sustainable livelihood and health opportunities.