Govt starts buying cow dung at Rs 3 per kg from farmers

In a significant move aimed at boosting the income of farmers and livestock owners, the state government has launched a scheme to purchasing cow dung at the rate of Rs 3 per kg in the Karsog region of Mandi district.

The initiative, which is part of the Chief Minister’s Agricultural Promotion Scheme under the Gobar Samridhi Yojana, aims to strengthen rural economies and raise awareness about the importance of livestock.

Under the scheme, the farmers and livestock owners can sell cow dung directly to the Agriculture Department, which will transfer the payment directly into their bank accounts. The scheme was launched with the intention of improving the economic condition of livestock farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

In the Karsog sub-division, two women from Bhadranu village — Promila Devi and Radhu Devi — became the first beneficiaries of the initiative. Both women sold a total of around 8 quintals of cow dung to the Agriculture Department’s Karsog-based farm. Promila Devi received a payment of Rs 1,350 for 4.5 quintals of dung, while Radhu Devi earned Rs 1,050 for selling 3.5 quintals of dung.

The payments were directly deposited into their bank accounts, marking a significant step toward financial empowerment for rural women. Promila and Radhu Devi lauded the state government for launching the welfare scheme, which they believe will positively impact the livelihoods of those engaged in animal husbandry. Initially, they were skeptical about the scheme, but after being informed by Agriculture Department officials they decided to participate.

The duo also praised Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for thinking of farmers and livestock owners in his policies, which reflected a long-term vision for the state’s rural development.

Naresh Chandel, in-charge of the Karsog Agriculture Farm, said the cow dung purchasing scheme was now operational in the region. He encouraged all local farmers and livestock owners to contact the Karsog Agriculture Farm to take advantage of the scheme and earn money by selling cow dung at the government-approved rate.

He mentioned that efforts are under way to raise awareness about the scheme, with the goal of ensuring that as many people as possible benefit from the initiative.