New Delhi: The Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) has launched a Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan (gobardhan.co.in). This platform aims to simplify the registration process for compressed bio-gas (CBG) and biogas plants nationwide.
According to a statement by DDWS, till date, over 1163 biogas plants and 426 CBG plants have successfully registered on this portal and are now eligible for support under the Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme, administered by the Department of Fertilizers.
“GOBARdhan, a trailblazing multi-ministerial initiative, is on a mission to transform biodegradable and organic waste, including cattle dung, agricultural residues, and biomass, into high-value resources like biogas, CBG and organic manure,” the statement said.
Under the MDA guidelines, manufacturing units can receive Rs. 1500 per metric ton (MT) for the sale of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM), and Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) produced at BG/CBG plants as part of the GOBARdhan initiative.
The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has allocated a budget of Rs. 1451.82 Crore for the MDA scheme, spanning three years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26). To qualify for MDA, these units must register on the Unified GOBARdhan portal and meet the specifications for organic fertilizers outlined in the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO).
The introduction of the MDA scheme aligns perfectly with the goals of efficient organic waste management and soil organic carbon enhancement, further promoting organic farming. Through a combination of policy measures, the government aims to expand the awareness, reach and implementation of Biogas/CBG plants, attracting private sector investments and fostering sustainable practices.
