30-year old Maya Chaudhary from Katuki Swear has emerged as a role model for sustainable agriculture. Before 2024, she had little knowledge about the potential of managing organic waste for farming. Like many in her community, she relied heavily on chemical fertilizers and viewed kitchen waste as useless.

Maya’s perspective changed after participating in a vermicomposting and waste management training organized by CLEAN UP NEPAL, funded by IM Swedish Development Partner, and conducted in collaboration with FKDF. The training provided her with practical skills in turning kitchen and farm waste into nutrient-rich compost using earthworms.

Immediately after the training, Maya applied her new skills. Within just one month, she successfully produced 7–8 kilograms of high-quality vermicompost from kitchen scraps and agricultural residues. She used this compost to enrich her fields, improving soil health and reducing her dependency on costly chemical fertilizers.


Maya fondly refers to her earthworms as her “little farming partners” — silent workers delivering powerful results. Her experience has shifted perceptions in her community, showing that sustainable farming is both environmentally beneficial and economically viable.

“Before the training, I never thought kitchen and farm waste could become such valuable fertilizer. The earthworms work silently, but the results are powerful. If we all manage our waste wisely, we can save money, protect our land, and grow healthier food. I am deeply grateful to CLEAN UP NEPAL and IM Swedish Development Partner for this opportunity — it has transformed my life and empowered me to make a difference.”

Maya’s journey demonstrates how grassroots capacity building can lead to long-term environmental stewardship, economic improvement, and community transformation. By turning waste into wealth, she has shown that small actions at the household level can spark broader change for sustainable agriculture in Nepal.