Gujarat’s Banas BIO-CNG model is increasing the income of farmers by making clean fuel and organic fertilizer from cow dung. This project is becoming an example for the country by playing an important role in employment, revenue and environment protection.
Gandhinagar. Taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘West to Wealth’, self-reliant India and green energy, Gujarat’s development model has now become a successful example for the entire country. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the BIO-CNG plant model developed by Banas Dairy is being rapidly adopted at the national level.
With the cooperation of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the Cooperative Department, about 15 states of the country are working towards implementing this model. This project is strengthening the rural economy by converting traditional waste like cow dung into clean fuel and organic fertilizer.
BIO-CNG sector given priority in the budget. Gujarat Budget Support BIO-CNG
Gujarat government has included BIO-CNG sector in its priority. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, a budget of ₹60 crore has been given to cooperative milk unions for setting up new plants. Its objective is to make the dairy sector a center of clean energy production and make rural areas self-reliant. Under the scheme, about 10 BIO-CNG plants will be established in the state in a phased manner.
Banas BIO-CNG Plant: Successful and proven model. Banas Dairy Project
BIO-CNG plant with 40 MT per day capacity at Banaskantha has been running successfully for the last 6 years. Seeing its success, 5 more big plants are being set up here. Of these, two plants have been started and the third is in the final stages. Each plant processes about 100 metric tons of cow dung daily. Built at a cost of ₹ 50-55 crore, these plants are an excellent example of modern technology, which takes both environment and economy together.
New source of income for farmers. Farmer Income from BIO-CNG
400-450 cattle rearing families from about 20-25 villages associated with these plants supply cow dung regularly. Farmers get paid at the rate of ₹1 per kg, which is giving them additional income. 13 tractor-trolleys are being used for collection and transportation of cow dung, which is also increasing employment in rural areas.
Revenue worth crores from multi-product model. CNG and Organic Fertilizer Production
This plant works on multi-product model. About 1,800 kg of compressed biogas (CNG) is produced here every day, which is sold at ₹75 per kg. Apart from this, 25 metric tons of solid organic fertilizer and 75 metric tons of liquid organic fertilizer are produced. The plant earns more than ₹ 3 lakh daily and about ₹ 12 crore annually from these products.
Important contribution in environmental protection. Green Gujarat Mission
This project is also very important for the environment. This model is capable of reducing emissions of approximately 6,750 tonnes of CO2e greenhouse gases every year. This model of clean fuel, organic fertilizers and scientific waste management is strengthening the goal of ‘Green Banaskantha’ to ‘Green Gujarat’ and is playing a big role in fighting climate change.