Gandhinagar, March 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Waste to Wealth’, self-reliant India, and green energy is now a successful national example through Gujarat’s development model. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Banaskantha Bio-CNG plant model is being adopted by nearly 15 states across the country, thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Cooperation.
Developed by Banasa Dairy, this project is transforming traditional waste like cow dung into clean fuel and organic fertilizers, reshaping the rural economy. Recognizing the vast potential of this innovative initiative, the Gujarat government has prioritized the Bio-CNG sector in its budget. Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, the state government has allocated ₹600 million for cooperative dairy producer unions to establish new plants. This financial support aims to make the dairy sector a hub for clean energy production and promote self-reliance in the rural economy. Notably, the plan proposes to establish around 10 Bio-CNG plants in a phased manner across the state.
The Banaskantha Bio-CNG plant, with a processing capacity of 40 metric tons of cow dung per day, has been successfully operating for the past six years as a proven model. Inspired by its success, work is ongoing to establish five large Bio-CNG plants in Banaskantha. Currently, two of the planned plants have commenced operations, while the third is in its final stages of completion.
Each plant processes approximately 100 metric tons (100,000 kilograms) of cow dung daily using scientific methods. Built at an investment cost of around ₹50-55 million, this facility exemplifies modern technology and infrastructure, demonstrating how ecology and economy can coexist. It shows that environmental protection, farmer prosperity, and industrial progress can all be achieved together.
The Bio-CNG plants in Banaskantha involve around 20-25 dairy farming families from villages located within a 20-kilometer radius, who regularly supply cow dung. Farmers are compensated at ₹1 per kilogram for their dung, providing additional income to an estimated 400-450 dairy farming families. Approximately 13 tractor-trailers are used for dung collection and transportation, each capable of carrying about 4 metric tons per trip, thereby boosting employment and local economic activities in rural areas.
Moreover, this plant operates on a multi-product economic model, producing around 1,800 kilograms of compressed biogas (CNG) daily, which is sold at approximately ₹75 per kilogram in the market. Additionally, it generates about 25 metric tons of solid organic fertilizer and 75 metric tons of liquid organic fertilizer, sold at roughly ₹6 per kilogram and ₹0.50 per kilogram, respectively. Together, these products generate over ₹300,000 in daily revenue for the plant, potentially reaching an annual total of around ₹120 million.
This innovative project in Gujarat is a revolutionary step not only in the energy sector but also in environmental conservation. It has the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 6,750 tons of CO2 equivalent annually, showcasing Gujarat’s significant contribution to tackling the global challenge of climate change. The production of clean fuel, the availability of chemical-free organic fertilizers, and scientific waste management create a triangular synergy that is turning the vision of ‘Green Gujarat’ into reality.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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