Chhattisgarh to procure cow urine at Rs 4 per litre under flagship scheme

The government will procure cow urine from farmers at Rs 4 per a litre from July 28.

Raipur: The Congress government in Chhattisgarh will start the purchase of cow urine at a minimum rate of Rs 4 per litre from local festival 'Hareli' on July 28, an official said on Monday. The flagship 'Godhan Nyay Yojana', which also entails procurement of cow dung, was rolled out two years ago with the aim of providing income to cattle-rearers, organic farmers and also strengthening the rural economy, he said.

"In the first phase, cow urine procurement will be done in two independent 'gauthans' (livestock shelter) in each district. The gauthan management committee will be entitled to fix rates of cow urine on local level. However, the agriculture development and farmers welfare department has proposed a minimum rate of Rs 4 per litre," he said.

Gaudhan Nyay Mission director Ayyaz Tamboli has directed district collectors to make necessary arrangements before the launch on Hareli festival, which is associated with agriculture and the environment, he added. "Collectors will be responsible to identify two independent gauthans and select the self-help women's (SHG) group for execution of the scheme along with providing training to the members. The procured cow urine will be used to make pest control products and natural liquid fertilizer," the official informed.

Chhattisgarh had launched the 'Godhan Nyay Yojana' on Hareli festival in July 2020, under which cow dung is being procured at Rs 2 per kilogram at gauthans to prepare vermicompost. In the last two years, the state government has procured cow dung worth over Rs 150 crore, and SHGs have produced over 20 lakh quintals of vermicompost, super compost, and super plus compost, for which they have received Rs 143 crore, officials said.

Officials said that purchase of cow urine for organic farming efforts in the state will help in enhancing the production and also help support the farmers even as preparation of Jeevamrut, pest control products through women self-help groups will provide a means of employment. Farmers will be able to use these organic products instead of chemical pesticides, which will reduce the cost of agriculture.