Uttar Pradesh’s rural economy is poised for significant growth with the launch of large-scale methane production from cow dung. This initiative will create a sustainable source of fuel capable of powering vehicles over long distances, opening up employment opportunities in villages and contributing to the development of an environmentally friendly economy.
According to experts, the dung from a single cow can produce enough methane each year to equal the energy output of 225 litres of petrol. Once purified, this methane is converted into compressed biogas (CBG), which can power a car for more than 5,500 kilometres.
Shyam Bihari Gupta, Chairman of the Go-Seva-Aayog, stated on Sunday that stray cattle in the state produce an average of 54 lakh kilograms of dung every day. This material can be processed in CBG plants to produce methane, cooking fuel for rural households, heating fuel for small-scale industries, and natural farming inputs. The process has the potential to generate annual revenues worth several lakhs of rupees.
Dr. Anurag Srivastava, Officer on Special Duty for the Go-Seva-Aayog, explained that methane farming could emerge as a viable alternative to fossil fuels in the future. The state government’s program supports the “Waste to Wealth” concept, turning cow dung into a valuable resource for transportation fuel and sustainable development. He added that the methane obtained from each animal is a natural gas that is both cost-effective and environmentally responsible. — The Statesman
