In the animal husbandry business, Sumul Dairy and NDDB have jointly installed 4,743 individual biogas plants in the previous year under the "Gobar Se Samriddhi Biogas Program" under the joint efforts of both the organizations, with the aim of adding value to the dung and urine obtained from our animals.
During the current financial year, Sumul Dairy and GCMMF have jointly approved a total of 800 units under the government's "Gobar Dhan" scheme through the joint efforts of both institutions. Also, through the joint efforts of Sumul Dairy and NDDB, a total of 1,000 units have been approved under the government's MNRE scheme. Two schemes have been received, totaling 1,800 plants at the milk association level, and the work of installing individual biogas plants is underway.
A modest effort has been made to make 6,543 cattle-rearing families self-sufficient from Surat and Tapi districts by setting up a biogas plant that will last for the next 10 years from the dung of domestic animals at the cost of 7 LPG gas bottles.
This scheme has multiple advantages like dung directly going to the biogas plant prevents the spread of disease, there is no piles or piles of dung in the village and the dung is used in the biogas plant, the rabdi (slurry) does not contain disease-causing insects, flies, so that cleanliness and health are maintained in the village. Fermentation in the gas unit destroys the seeds that produce mold and do not germinate in the soil. This saves disposal costs, increases the natural fertilizing potential of dung and favors organic farming by converting organic waste into high quality organic manure.
The plants generate around 654 metric tonnes of nutrient-rich organic slurry per day, which serves as high-quality organic manure. This circular approach has multiple benefits:
By converting organic waste into valuable manure, the program supports farmers in reducing input costs while improving crop productivity and supporting organic farming movements.
The program is supported through:
This support structure encourages widespread adoption and sustained use of biogas technology among small and marginal farmers.
Methane gas from manure, which mixes with air to cause pollution and exacerbate global warming, is collected through biogas plants and used as a cooking energy source via pipelines. This prevents uncontrolled methane emissions and atmospheric pollution. By capturing this free methane in biogas projects for use as cooking gas, significant environmental conservation is achieved.
Through the Gobar Se Samriddhi Biogas Program, Sumul Dairy is strengthening rural livelihoods, improving environmental health, and promoting clean energy at the household level. This initiative exemplifies how cooperative-led efforts can transform animal waste into a valuable resource—benefiting farmers, villages, and the environment alike.
In the coming days, with NDDB support, the goal is to operationalize 20,000 or more biogas units, benefiting the maximum number of milk producers through milk societies. Cooperation from all members is appreciated.
