New Delhi, March 7 : The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the NGO ‘Sustain Plus’ plan to establish 10,000 biogas plants across 15 states over the next four years. This initiative is expected to generate 300,000 tons of organic slurry annually, improving soil health and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Additionally, over 7 million cubic meters of biogas will be produced annually, providing clean fuel to 10,000 households.

NDDB and Sustain Plus Join Hands for Circular Dairy Program

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Bangalore-based NGO ‘Sustain Plus’ have announced a significant project under the Circular Dairy Program. As part of this initiative, they will install 10,000 biogas plants in 15 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. The project was officially launched at a workshop on Sustainability and Circularity in the Dairy Sector, organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) in New Delhi. The event was also attended by Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

Improving Soil Health and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Through the Circular Dairy Program, the government aims to create climate-smart dairy villages and scalable, sustainable farming practices across the country. NDDB and Sustain Plus anticipate that the 10,000 biogas digesters to be set up over the next four years will produce approximately 300,000 tons of organic slurry annually. This will improve soil fertility and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers.

Furthermore, the biogas plants will generate over 7 million cubic meters of biogas per year, providing 10,000 rural families with clean cooking fuel.

PROM Fertilizer to Replace Chemical Phosphates

Apart from biogas production, this initiative is expected to yield 60,000 tons of phosphate-rich organic manure (PROM) annually, replacing an equivalent amount of chemical phosphate fertilizers. This will promote affordable and sustainable farming while directly benefiting dairy farmers.

The program will integrate biogas plants, solar-powered dairy operations, and efficient milk collection systems, thereby reducing input costs for farmers. Additionally, it will help improve soil health, provide clean fuel to rural households, and create new income streams through organic fertilizer and carbon credit initiatives.

NDDB-Sustain Plus Partnership Since 2021

Ganesh Neelam, Director of Sustain Plus, stated that since 2021, their partnership with NDDB has strengthened the “Gobar Economy” (cow dung-based economy) and demonstrated the potential of integrating the dairy value chain.

“Our new project with NDDB aims to empower dairy farmers, especially women, by providing them access to clean cooking fuel and nutrient-rich bio-slurry to enhance soil fertility,” Neelam said. He further added that MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) have been signed with over 26 milk federations across 15 states to implement this program effectively.