CR Patil urges Gujarat dairy cooperatives to invest in CBG projects

Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil has called on the milk milk cooperatives and dairies from Gujarat to accelerate the development of Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants that will transform cattle dung and other organic waste into sustainable energy and organic manure. CR Patil had convened a crucial meeting with Chairpersons and MD’s of milk cooperatives and dairies from Gujarat under the government’s vision to convert waste to wealth.

Gujarat is one of the leaders in the production of milk and milk products in the country. During the meeting, Patil emphasized the critical role of the dairy sector in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability by converting organic waste from dairy operations into CBG. Through biogas, Gujarat could benefit both environmentally and economically, with the initiative offering a significant reduction in carbon emissions while fostering self-sustaining energy models in rural areas.

Patil held, “India’s dairy sector has been a cornerstone of rural livelihoods. By embracing green technologies like CBG production, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also create new revenue streams for farmers and cooperative including availing carbon credits.”

Gujarat’s Potential for CBG Production

With a bovine population of 2.01 crore, Gujarat produces an estimated 2 lakh tons of cattle dung daily. This presents the state with a tremendous untapped potential to generate an estimated 4,000 tonnes of CBG per day, offering a substantial opportunity to boost the green energy sector in the region.

During the meeting, partnerships between cooperatives, private entities, and government agencies to facilitate funding and technology transfers for CBG production were explored. Patil vowed technical and financial support under existing government schemes for CBG projects with a view to make Gujarat a model state for integrating clean energy practices in the dairy sector.

The meeting saw a commitment to establish more than 20 CBG plants in the state, over 30,000 individual biogas units at an estimated investment of over 1000 crores.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from Department of Fertilizers, Department of Animal Husbandry, MNRE, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas along with senior members of DDWS, including the Secretary and Joint Secretary & Mission Director, under the GOBARdhan initiative.

Recently, the famous Banas Dairy announced that it will be inaugurating four new bio-CNG pumps in Patan and Banaskantha districts to distribute biofuel produced from cow-dungs of its dairies. The company is investing heavily in the biogas sector.

Noida based Nexgen Energia has also vowed to invest Rs 3,000 crore in the CBG sector of Gujarat and the projects construction has begun  by the company.