Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stones for two new Bio-CNG plants of Banas Dairy on October 30, with the facilities expected to process a combined 175 metric tonnes of cattle dung daily. The plants will be established in Tharad and Radhanpur, with the foundation ceremony planned from Bhildi in Banaskantha district. The initiative aims to expand renewable energy production while creating an additional source of income for livestock farmers.

The two plants will have separate processing capacities of 75 metric tonnes and 100 metric tonnes of cattle dung per day. Once operational, they will increase Banas Dairy’s total number of Bio-CNG plants to six and raise its combined daily dung-processing capacity to 515 metric tonnes. The project forms part of the dairy cooperative’s efforts to convert livestock waste into useful fuel and agricultural products.

Under the Banas Dairy model, cattle dung is collected from livestock farmers, providing them with supplementary income. The material is processed to produce Bio-CNG, which can be used as a vehicle fuel, while the remaining slurry is converted into solid and liquid organic fertilisers. These fertilisers are marketed under the brand name Bhumi Amrut, creating additional value from a resource that might otherwise be discarded.

Also Read: Gujarat Ranks Second Among Major States With 50.75% Lost Mobile Phone Recovery

Banas Dairy already operates four Bio-CNG plants in the region. Its first facility began operations in Dama village in Deesa taluka in 2020, with the capacity to process 40 metric tonnes of dung daily. Three additional plants were subsequently established at Agthala, Bhukhla and Vinchhivadi, each designed to process 100 metric tonnes per day. Together, the existing facilities process around 340 metric tonnes of cattle dung daily.

The four operational plants produce approximately 6,150 kilograms of Bio-CNG, 83 metric tonnes of solid organic fertiliser and 260 metric tonnes of liquid organic fertiliser per day. Banas Dairy also sells Bio-CNG at subsidised rates compared with conventional CNG, helping expand the use of alternative fuel. The model links dairy farming with renewable energy production and the recycling of organic waste, while supporting agricultural activity through the supply of fertilisers.

The expansion is also expected to deliver environmental benefits by reducing the amount of cattle dung left to decompose in the open, where it can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. According to estimates associated with the project, all six plants could help prevent approximately 33,400 to 34,600 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The initiative reflects broader efforts to promote cleaner fuel, improve waste management and strengthen the economic benefits of dairy cooperatives for farmers in Gujarat.

Also Read: Gujarat Proposes 500-Sqm Land Gift for Yusuf Pathan After TMC Exit