India’s first cow dung-based paint, a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties, developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission, was launched by MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The brand name given to it is ‘Khadi Prakritik Paint’. The main ingredient in this paint is cow dung. The Bureau of Indian Standards has certified this as a cost-effective and odourless paint.
The Prime Minister’s has a 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 that the paint was developed and launched in alignment with the vision of the Prime Minister.
The plan is to take necessary steps should be taken for its use in all houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and all government buildings, even at panchayat and district level.
Gadkari pointed out that the paint costs only Rs 120 per litre for the distemper, and Rs 225 per litre for the emulsion. He said that he was happy to announce that this paint is less than half the price charged by big paint companies.
Khadi Prakritik Paint is expected to ensure monetary gains for farmers and put a check on cow slaughter in the country, as cow dung would be utilised in large quantities.
Gadkari reiterated that the role of the government is only that of a facilitator. He informed that the paint will be marketed in a professional manner, and will be available at every nook and corner 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 is expected to have a potential of turning into a Rs 6,000 crore market . This paint can revolutionise the agro-based economy of the country, he said.
This paint will generate additional revenue to farmers and gaushalas. He said that utilisation of cow dung will also clean the environment and prevent clogging of drains.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission will be providing technical training to new entrepreneurs who could benefit by manufacturing cow dung paint.
Gadkari said that the plan is to set up thousands of Prakritik paint manufacturing units as it will give a big boost to the country’s agro-based economy.
The main characteristics of the paint is that 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 color, and it can be developed in any color by suitably mixing colorants. The paint has successfully passed various test parameters such as application of paint, thinning properties, drying time and finish, among others.
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