NDDB's ₹750 Crore Plan Turns Cow Dung into Clean Energy

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is set to roll out a ₹750 crore initiative to establish 15 compressed biogas (CBG) plants across Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Bihar. The project aims to enhance rural sanitation, generate clean energy, and create additional income streams for farmers.

Each plant will process 100 tonnes of cow dung per day, requiring a collective supply of over 1,500 tonnes daily. Farmers will be compensated up to ₹1 per kilogram of dung, providing a steady revenue source while helping address issues of waste management and rural odour control.

“Most of these plants will produce purified biogas compressed as Bio-CNG, primarily for use as vehicle fuel,” said Meneesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB.

The initiative builds on existing partnerships, including collaborations with Banas Dairy in Gujarat and Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary, with plants already operational or under construction in Varanasi and Banaskantha. NDDB is also working closely with NABARD to access green financing options for these projects.

In a parallel effort, NDDB has partnered with the NGO Sustain Plus to install 10,000 small-scale biogas digesters across 15 states. These digesters will supply clean cooking fuel and organic manure, supporting sustainable farming practices and reducing reliance on conventional fuels in rural households.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.