Organic fertilizer in Nepal: compost, vermicompost (gadaule mal) and vermiwash
What organic fertilizer (prangarik mal / jaibik mal) is, which type to use for which crop and when, and how to choose good quality, in plain words.
What is organic fertilizer (prangarik mal / jaibik mal)?
Organic fertilizer, called prangarik mal (प्राङ्गारिक मल) or jaibik mal (जैविक मल) in Nepali, is fertilizer made from natural plant and animal material. It feeds the soil, not just the crop: it adds organic matter, helps the soil hold water and air, and releases nutrients slowly, so land stays fertile year after year.
Types of organic fertilizer and when to use each
Compost (kampost mal)
Plant and organic material broken down by microbes in well-aired piles until it is dark, crumbly and earthy.
Best for: All crops, field preparation, kitchen gardens and pots.
How to use: Mix into the soil before sowing or transplanting; add a little around plants during the season.
See our product →Vermicompost (gadaule mal)
Compost made by earthworms. The worms digest organic material and leave fine, nutrient-rich castings.
Best for: Vegetables, nurseries and seedlings, flowers, rooftop farming (kausi kheti) and pots.
How to use: Mix into potting soil and planting holes, or spread around plants; follow the amount on the pack.
See our product →Vermiwash (gadaule jhol mal)
The liquid collected from worm beds, rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes.
Best for: A quick boost for vegetables, fruit and flowers during the growing season.
How to use: Dilute with water and spray on leaves or pour around the roots, as the label says.
See our product →Farmyard manure (gobar mal)
Animal dung mixed with bedding and left to rot. Use only when well rotted.
Best for: Field crops when prepared at home.
How to use: Spread and plough in before planting.
Green manure (hariyo mal)
A crop such as dhaincha or sunhemp grown and ploughed into the soil while still green.
Best for: Rice fields and tired soil between seasons.
How to use: Sow, let it grow for 6–8 weeks, then plough in before planting the main crop.
How to recognise good-quality organic fertilizer
- Dark, crumbly and earthy-smelling, not hot or foul-smelling
- Free of plastic, glass and stones
- Fully matured: immature compost can harm young plants
- Packed with the maker, production date and batch
Organic fertilizers from Safa Urja
Frequently asked questions
Is prangarik mal the same as jaibik mal?
Yes. Prangarik mal (प्राङ्गारिक मल) and jaibik mal (जैविक मल) both mean organic fertilizer: fertilizer made from natural plant or animal material, such as compost, vermicompost (gadaule mal) and vermiwash.
What is the difference between compost and vermicompost (gadaule mal)?
Compost is made by microbes in large piles; vermicompost is made by earthworms and is finer, which suits seedlings, pots and vegetables. Both add organic matter to the soil.
Can organic fertilizer replace chemical fertilizer?
Organic fertilizer feeds the soil and improves it season after season, and many farmers reduce chemical fertilizer by using it regularly. For high-demand crops, farmers often combine both; ask your local agriculture office for advice on your crop.
Where can I buy organic fertilizer in Nepal?
Safa Urja makes Safa Mal compost in Chitwan in 2 kg packs and 25 kg bags, and vermicompost (gadaule mal) in 2 kg packs; vermiwash is coming soon. Write to sales@safaurja.com or use the contact page.