Help cow shelters market dung-based formulations for farming: NITI Aayog

Last Updated13/03/2023

A report by NITI Aayog highlighted that Gaushalas (cow shelters) can become major suppliers of inputs for natural farming in the country through concerted efforts of the government, private players and entrepreneurs.

Title: “Production and promotion of organic and bio fertilizers with special focus on improving economic viability of gaushalas”
Recommendation: Centre help such cow shelters with capital assistance so that they could market cow dung and cow urine-based formulations for applications in agriculture.

There is a trend towards natural farming and organic farming.
Inorganic fertilizer and agro chemicals are replaced by livestock manure, plant-based products, bio inputs, and products made from cow urine and cow dung.
The task force felt that gaushalas can be of great help in promoting natural farming and organic farming.
The report also suggested that cow shelters could address the problem of stray cattle that damaged crops in many parts of the country.

Cow dung-based organic fertilizers would have a huge impact in fulfilling the constitutional mandate under Article 48 that the State shall take steps for preserving and improving cattle breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves, and other milch and draught cattle.