Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel first beneficiary
R Krishna Das
Raipur, July 28
Chhattisgarh government today launched its ambitious scheme of procuring cow urine, eyeing to utilize it for eco-friendly fertilizer for making the fields and rural economy healthy.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel started the scheme today on the occasion of “Hareli”, which marks the beginning of festivals in Chhattisgarh. Baghel sold five litres of Goumutra (cow urine) at Nidhi Self Help Group (SHG) in Chandkhuri to become the first beneficiary of the programme that is part of the Chhattisgarh government’s flagship scheme, the Godhan Nyay Yojana that was launched two years ago.
He was given Rs 20 as the state government had fixed the maximum price at Rs 4 per litre. The Chief Minister entered his name in the register that each SHG would maintain.
Two ‘gauthans’ (livestock shelter) in each of the 33 districts in Chhattisgarh have been selected for procuring cow urine. The officials estimate a collection of 100 litre of urine at peak in each of the gauthan.
After cow dung, Chhattisgarh government now plans to use cow urine for manufacturing fertilizer. According to reports, two products from the cow urine would be launched in the state. Of it, one would be a crop booster and another, a pesticide.
The ‘gauthans’ in the state are already procuring cow dung under the same ambitious Godhan Nyay Yojana. Now, cow urine will help adding components for manufacturing organic fertilizer and crop booster.
According to agriculture experts, mixing cow dung with equal quantity of urine with jaggery, pulses powder, required quantity of water and allowing it to ferment for four days will make a good organic fertilizer, he said, adding that it is a proven product in many parts of the country.
Similarly, the best pesticide can also be manufactured by putting about 10 specific leaves in a proportionate cow urine, cow dung and greenchillies.
The state government plans to sell the fertilizer and pesticide manufactured from cow’s urine and dung through C-Mart—the state government-run store showcasing the products manufactured in the state and prepared by the women self-help groups.
Though the price has not been officially declared, the officials say the mission has proposed to sell pesticide for Rs 50, fertilizer for Rs 40 and filtered urine for Rs 6 a litre.
