Once, during the discussion about pastoralist seasonal migration routes in Telangana, a young, entrepreneurial pastoralist man said "if banks are willing to give us loans based on our livestock, we will repay the loans in no time, just by selling dung." I found that statement and the confidence in his voice about dung economy very interesting, because I never thought about the importance and impact of dung economy in the lives of pastoralists until then. Further exploratory study on sheep penning in Telangana state in India suggests that Telangana state has 17.4 million sheep, providing about 9 million kgs of manure and about 21 million litres of urine every day. Farmers in Telangana reportedly pay an average INR 1.5 - 2 per sheep for penning per night, which generates a revenue of an estimated INR 26 million per day in the state. The average duration of sheep penning in Telangana state is 107 days and the estimated revenue generated from sheep penning alone could be approximately INR 2.7 billion within a span of 3.5 months (107 days). If the revenue generated from the sale of dung of sheep, goat, cattle and buffalo and penning of cattle is calculated then the figure would be even higher. The income from penning and sale of dung accounts to more than a quarter and second most important source of household income of the pastoralists. However, it is seldom considered as a livelihood and income generation activity, therefore remains grossly neglected by the state missionary. The new fad of regenerative agriculture, agro-ecology, natural farming speak volumes about integration of livestock into agriculture, but most of them stop at preparation and application of bio-fertilizers (jeevamrutham etc), from dung, but the discussion rarely moves beyond bio-fertilizers and integration of dung economy into banking and credit systems. On the contrary the age old traditional penning system suggests that integration of livestock-based products like dung should not be limited to bio-fertilizers but it should be extended to "economics" and "credit" systems. Traditional penning systems are beyond bio-fertilizers and organic agriculture practices. Traditional penning integrates dung at the economic level, and integrated into the credit system. There is money, employment, labour, economy involved but the conventional banking and credit system has not learned much from the Traditional Penning system. Integration of dung economy at farm-input level (jeevamrutam) is a very lame and dumb-down approach of integration of livestock into agriculture. The integration of dung into agriculture should happen at the credit/economics levels to unlock the potential of this highly neglected and unorganized economy in India. Any thoughts?
Integrating dung into the agricultural and economic systems in India could unlock significant benefits, particularly at the credit and economic levels. Here are some key considerations for promoting such integration:
1. Creating a Formalized Market
- Organized Value Chains: Currently, the use of dung in agriculture is largely informal and decentralized. Creating cooperatives or formal associations of farmers and livestock owners could help organize the collection, processing, and sale of dung. This would establish it as a recognized commodity in the agricultural inputs market, potentially stabilizing prices and ensuring a more reliable supply.
- Value-Added Products: Dung has many applications beyond simple fertilizer, such as biogas, vermicompost, organic manure, and even in bio-construction materials. Investing in value-added products would help diversify its utility and demand, further solidifying its economic potential.
2. Access to Credit
- Microfinance for Dung-Based Enterprises: Small-scale dung processing units, particularly for biogas and organic manure, could benefit from microfinance. Financial institutions can create targeted credit lines for dung-based agricultural activities, encouraging rural entrepreneurs to invest in these businesses.
- Government Incentives: Offering credit at lower interest rates or government-backed subsidies for setting up dung processing units (such as biogas plants) would lower the barriers to entry for farmers and rural communities. These incentives could help transform dung into a formal income-generating asset.
3. Linking to Carbon Credits
- Green Economy Opportunities: Dung-based energy production (biogas) and organic manure significantly reduce the carbon footprint compared to chemical fertilizers and traditional energy sources. By linking such activities to carbon credit markets, rural farmers could potentially earn additional income. This will also make dung-based enterprises more attractive from an investment perspective.
4. Job Creation and Rural Development
- Local Employment: Establishing a dung-based economy could provide employment opportunities in rural areas, from collection and processing to distribution and marketing of dung-based products. This would not only provide supplementary income to farmers but could also reduce migration to urban areas.
5. Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
- Organic Farming: Encouraging farmers to use dung-based fertilizers aligns with the growing demand for organic produce. Organic certification schemes could further increase the value of products cultivated with dung-based inputs, providing a premium price in both domestic and international markets.
- Soil Health: Dung improves soil fertility and structure over time, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. Healthier soils also mean better crop yields in the long run, enhancing food security and income.
6. Policy Support
- National Framework for Organic Inputs: A dedicated policy or mission on promoting organic inputs, including dung, would help raise awareness and provide the necessary support infrastructure. Policies could include research funding for innovative uses of dung and education programs to train farmers on effective dung management.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between the government and private sector players can help set up dung processing infrastructure in rural areas. This can be crucial in scaling up dung-related enterprises beyond small-scale operations.
7. Awareness and Training
- Farmer Training Programs: Many farmers may not be aware of the full economic potential of dung, especially in its processed forms. Initiatives by the government and NGOs to educate farmers on using dung for biogas, composting, and vermiculture could unlock greater benefits.
- Demonstration Projects: Success stories from pilot projects in regions that have successfully integrated dung into their agricultural economy can serve as models for other regions.
By creating a formalized dung economy and linking it to financial systems, India could tap into the vast potential of this resource, fostering rural economic development, improving soil health, and promoting environmental sustainability
Pritha Chaturvedi ji, thank you so much for sharing such an elaborate and insightful information, I really find it useful - thank you very much!!
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