Paper Manufactured From Cow Dung In Rajasthan Is Generating Income For Cattle Farmers

Cow-dung, the residual matter has long been known for its rich mineral content. The faecal matter is not only used as an agricultural fertilizer but is also used to produce biogas which in turn generates electricity.

Since our school days, we have been reading about the plethora of uses of cow dung in minimizing the conventional sources of energy. Now, cow dung will also be used to manufacture paper.

Photo: Giriraj Singh Twitter account

On Wednesday, Union Minister of State for micro, small and medium enterprises, Giriraj Singh launched paper that was made of cow dung in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, the Times Of India reported.

Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute (KNHPI), a unit of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) manufactured this household paper. The handmade paper was curated by mixing cow dung and rag paper.

This innovation will not only keep the streets clean but will also result in a hike in the income of cattle farmers.

The Gopalan department in the state is encouraging gaushalas (cowsheds) all over the city to make use of this technique. A gaushala in Jalore district of the state has even started manufacturing paper out of cow dung.

Photo: Giriraj Singh Twitter Account

These cowsheds currently produce ¡®disinfectants¡¯ from cow urine. The state government is giving funds to encourage the establishment of even private cowsheds as they stand to gain financially with this new innovation.

At present, there are 1,160 registered gaushalas in the state that house over five-lakh cows. Cow dung and urine are extensively used as organic manure by the farmers. It not only generates biogas fuel but the leftover slurry is also rich in nitrogen.

Singh even launched eco-friendly materials that are used during rituals like ¡®hawans¡¯. These materials that are used to offer prayers were made up of flowers and coconut shells.