India is turning to an unlikely fuel source to cut its reliance on imported energy: cow manure. A Suzuki-backed project in Gujarat is already converting cattle waste into compressed natural gas for cars and auto-rickshaws, and the country now wants 1,000 more plants like it.
The Banas Suzuki Bio-CNG facility processes about 88 tons of cattle waste each day. The renewable gas it produces sells for roughly 80 rupees ($0.93) per kilogram — more than 20 rupees cheaper than gasoline in parts of India, according to the report. That makes it an attractive option for drivers who already own CNG-powered vehicles.
A partnership built on dairy farms
The plant is a joint effort between Suzuki and Banas Dairy, one of Asia’s largest dairy cooperatives. Farmers from 16 nearby villages supply the cattle waste, earning about one rupee per kilogram. The resulting gas fuels an estimated 600 to 700 vehicles each day.
The leftover waste doesn’t go to waste either. It’s turned into organic fertilizer and returned to local farms, closing the loop.
All of this comes as India tries to diversify its energy supply after disruptions tied to the current conflict in the Middle East. Earlier this month, Japan and India signed a strategic plan calling for the construction of 1,000 new biogas plants. Indian officials are also considering higher payments for biogas producers to encourage more investment.
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Suzuki isn’t just waiting for fuel suppliers to step up. It’s trying to build the whole ecosystem itself — similar to how Tesla built its Supercharger network to support its electric vehicles. That move played a large role in Tesla’s success, the source notes.
Scaling up to 1,000 plants won’t be easy. Current biogas production is still a tiny fraction of overall fuel demand. Building collection networks, processing plants, and distribution infrastructure will require billions in investment. For a country that already struggles with logistics in rural areas, that’s a serious hurdle.
Why cow manure has become a fuel option
The logic is straightforward: India has an enormous number of cattle, and their waste has historically been a disposal problem. Turning it into fuel reduces methane emissions, cuts fuel imports, and gives farmers a new income stream. The Banas plant alone consumes 88 tons daily — but that’s just a start.
If India can solve the logistical challenges, one of its oldest agricultural byproducts could become an increasingly important part of its transportation future.
