The Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has recommended that the government engage state-owned fertilizer marketing companies to facilitate the distribution of fermented organic manure, thereby enhancing the sector, reported PTI.
In a discussion with PTI, IBA Chairman Gaurav Kedia stated, “Currently, the production of fermented organic manure (FOM) in India is about 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTA), with the potential to increase to 7 MMTA due to the existing and upcoming 570 plants, which could meet the fertilizer needs of a state like Rajasthan.”
He shared that there are around 97 functional CBG (compressed biogas) plants with an average production of 7.5 TPD (tonne per day) CBG and 30 TPD FOM per plant.
While the current FOM production stands at around 1 million tonnes annually, the potential can reach up to 7 million tonnes.
Currently, there are 570 CBG plants, with 165 under construction expected to be completed within this financial year, and 405 yet to begin construction.
“To assist biogas producers and promote organic farming, the government should consider involving Fertilizer Marketing Companies (PSUs) for the procurement and distribution of fermented organic manure, which is a byproduct of biogas plants,” he remarked.
Kedia urged the Department of Fertilizers to ensure that companies like IFFCO, KRIBHCO, and NFL provide necessary support for co-marketing FOM alongside chemical fertilizers through their dealer networks and marketing channels.
He also suggested that the ministry require these companies to issue an expression of interest (EOI) for the registration of FOM producers and to manage the off-take from both centralized and decentralized biogas/bio-CNG plants, as outlined by the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) for solid and liquid FOM.
Additionally, these companies should establish connections at the grassroots level to streamline the application process for FOM producers in specific geographic regions.
