Nitin Gadkari Launches Cost Effective, Cow Dung-Based Paint

Developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission, India’s first cow dung-based paint, a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties was launched by MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Branded as 'Khadi Prakritik Paint', cow dung is its main ingredient.

The paint is cost-effective and odourless and has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

It's development and launch is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of increasing farmers’ income and the project is part of an effort to improve the rural economy to such an extent that reverse migration begins from the cities to rural areas, Gadkari said after launching the indigenous product.

According to the plan, steps would be taken for its use in all houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and all government buildings, even at panchayat and district level.

Pointing out that the paint is priced at only Rs 120 per litre for the distemper, and Rs 225 per litre for the emulsion, Gadkari said this is less than half the price charged by big paint companies.

With bulk utilisation of cow dung, Khadi Prakritik Paint is expected to ensure monetary gains for farmers and put a check on cow slaughter in the country.

Stressing that the role of the government is only that of a facilitator, Gadkari said the paint will be marketed in a professional manner, and taken to all corners of the country.

The paint is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and others. It will provide a boost to local manufacturing and will create sustainable local employment through technology transfer.

The innovative Khadi Prakritik Paint has the potential of turning into a Rs 6,000 crore market that could revolutionise the agro-based economy of the country, he said.

This technology will increase consumption of cow dung as a raw material for eco-friendly products and will generate additional revenue to farmers and gaushalas. Utilisation of cow dung will also clean the environment and prevent clogging of drains.

He said that at least five crore new jobs will be created in the MSME sector and the export share of Indian MSMEs will be increased from current 48 per cent to 60 per cent in order to achieve the target of a $5 trillion dollar economy.

"Very soon a policy will be framed for sharing the technical knowhow of Khadi Prakritik Paint to maximum number of people in India," he said, adding that Khadi and Village Industries Commission will provide technical training to new entrepreneurs who could benefit by manufacturing cow dung paint.

Gadkari further said that thousands of Prakritik paint manufacturing units can be set up across the country that will give a big boost to the country's agro-based economy.

The paint has successfully passed various test parameters such as application of paint, thinning properties, drying time and finish, among others.

It dries in less than 4 hours, and has a smooth and uniform finish. The paint can be applied on interior as well as exterior walls.

Both distemper and emulsion paints are available in white base colour, and it can be developed in any colour by suitably mixing colorants.

Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for MSME Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Chairman KVIC Vinai Kumar Saxena were also present at the event.