New Delhi, Mar 3 (KNN) The Indian Biogas Association (IBA) announced on Sunday that the government’s recent initiative to promote organic fertiliser usage could generate additional revenue of USD 2.6 billion for the biogas industry.
According to an IBA statement, the government has implemented an amendment aimed at encouraging organic fertiliser use to support more environmentally sustainable farming practices.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has modified the 1985 Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic, or Mixed) (Control) Order to incorporate ‘Organic Carbon Enhancers’ from Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants as a new fertiliser category.
This regulatory change, introduced in February 2025, is anticipated to benefit both agricultural communities and environmental sustainability efforts by enhancing the country’s agricultural productivity.
A.R. Shukla, President of the Indian Biogas Association, endorsed the amendment, noting that it will contribute to improved soil health while also helping to mitigate global warming.
The IBA explained that organic fertiliser produced through fermentation processes in biogas plants will create new revenue streams for the industry.
The association highlighted that organic carbon enhancers improve soil by increasing organic carbon content, which promotes plant growth and maintains agricultural productivity.
The IBA pointed out a concerning trend where Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) content in India has diminished from 1 percent to just 0.3 percent over the past seven decades.
The current production of fermented organic manure (FOM), a byproduct from CBG plants, stands at approximately 1 million metric tonnes in India. The IBA projects this figure could increase to 7 million metric tonnes as biogas projects expand, potentially meeting the fertiliser requirements for entire regions such as Rajasthan.
Government support is expected to stimulate demand for organic fertilisers and consequently increase the number of CBG plants, benefiting both the biogas industry and waste-to-wealth initiatives while contributing to economic growth.
The IBA disclosed that it has been advocating for a program similar to SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) to be applied to fermented organic manure.
Industry revenue projections indicate a minimum of USD 2.6 billion in additional revenue for industry participants from solid-FOM upon full realisation of SATAT potential, with this figure potentially increasing by two to three times when considering revenue from liquid FOM.
(KNN Bureau)
