Cow dung and cow urine-based bio-products: Step-by-step method, cost, quality, and additional income from sales.

Introduction: Beyond Milk — The Science and Business of Cow Dung and Cow Urine

Most livestock farmers consider milk sales their primary source of income, while cow dung and cow urine offer a significant opportunity for sustainable additional income. The right product selection, hygienic production, proper packaging, and local/online marketing can make even a small unit profitable. In this blog, we will understand everything from cost, quality control, branding, licensing requirements, and sales channels, along with step-by-step methods.

Raw Material Management: Clean and Organized from the Start

Collection and Pre-processing: Collect fresh cow dung daily in separate batches. Avoid mixing with soil/sand/plastic. Collect cow urine in separate clean drums with lids. All containers should be washable.

Record-keeping: Record daily quantities, moisture content, temperature (especially for compost/fermentation), and production dates. Assign batch numbers for traceability.

Hygiene and Safety: Use gloves, gumboots, and masks.

Ensure clean water, floor cleaning, and pest control at the workplace.

Product #1: Vermicompost — High Demand, Consistent Quality

What it is: Converting cow dung and organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer with the help of earthworms (typically Eisenia fetida).

Materials: (1) Decomposed cow dung (partially composted) 100 kg, (2) Finely chopped leaves/kitchen waste 20–30 kg, (3) Earthworms 1–2 kg, (4) Shaded tank/bed, (5) Water spray.

Steps:

1) Lay a 2–3 cm thick layer of dry grass/coconut coir at the bottom of the tank/bed.
2) Partially pre-compost the cow dung by making a pile 3–5 days in advance to reduce the temperature.
3) Lay the cow dung and kitchen waste in the bed in approximately a 4:1 ratio. Maintain moisture at 60–70% (1–2 drops when squeezed in a fist).
4) Release the earthworms when the surface is cool and cover with a sack/gunny bag.
5) Gently turn the mixture weekly and maintain moisture with daily spraying.
6) In 45–60 days, the compost will be blackish-brown, crumbly, and odorless. Sieve from the top and pack.

Quality and Packaging: 5, 10, 25 kg bags; moisture ~20–25% (dry before packing), label with NPK and batch/date.

Cost/Benefit Indication: Small setup (2–3 beds) ~ ₹10–20 thousand. Good local demand; Schools/farms/nurseries/municipalities can be potential buyers.

Product #2: Cow Dung Logs

What it is: Logs/briquettes made from cow dung for fuel/cremation/religious use.

Materials: (1) Fresh cow dung, (2) Sawdust/straw for binder (10–20%), (3) Mold/log-making machine (hand press can also be used), (4) Sun-drying area.

Steps:

1) Mix cow dung + straw/sawdust to make a thick mixture.
2) Fill into molds to make 1–2 feet long logs.
3) Dry in strong sunlight for 4–7 days (use a shed during the rainy season), the logs should be light and solid when completely dry.
4) Can be bundled and packed according to size/weight.

Quality: Maintain balanced moisture to reduce cracking, uniform size increases customer satisfaction.

Sales: Funeral committees, temples, environmental groups, e-marketplaces.

Product #3: Incense Sticks/Diyas/Havan Samagri (Cow Dung-based Incense & Diyas)

What it is: Made by mixing dried cow dung with herbs, desi ghee/cow urine extract/guggul/sandalwood/camphor, etc.

Materials: (1) Finely powdered dry cow dung, (2) Binder—gum/rice starch/rose water, (3) Optional aromatic herbs, (4) Mold/hand rolling stick, (5) Sun-drying area.

Steps:

1) Dry 1) Sieve the cow dung; 70–80% cow dung powder, 10–15% herbal powder, the rest binder/liquid.
2) Prepare a soft, dough-like mixture.
3) Mold into stick or cone shapes.
4) Dry in a shaded/ventilated area for 2–4 days; ensure no moisture remains.
5) Pack in 10/20/50 piece packs and include fragrance/ingredient list.

Quality: Balanced smoke intensity; low ash; consistent burning time. Tune the formula based on customer feedback.

Product #4: Biogas + Slurry Fertilizer

What it is: Conversion of cow dung into gaseous energy; the remaining slurry is high-quality organic fertilizer.

Steps: Appropriate size plant (for family/group), daily cow dung-water 1:1 slurry; gas for cooking/generator; dry the slurry from the digester using solar drying and pack the dry slurry.

Benefits: Energy + fertilizer; cooperative model also successful at the village level.

Product #5: Jeevamrut — Natural Nutrient Liquid

What it is: A farm input prepared from cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, gram flour/lentil flour and soil, primarily for crop nutrition/soil health.

Ingredients (one basic batch): Cow dung 10–12 kg, cow urine 10–12 liters, water 200 liters, jaggery 2 kg, gram flour/lentil flour 2 kg, a handful of live soil.

Steps:

1) Fill a large plastic drum with water. 1) Mix cow dung and cow urine with a wooden stick. 2) Dissolve jaggery and gram flour in water and add; mix in a handful of living soil (source of microorganisms). 3) Keep the lid loose, stir 2-3 times daily, and ferment in the shade for 2-3 days. 4)Filter and use/sell; provide batch/date/usage instructions on the label. Note: Specify dosage/spraying intervals according to local agricultural practices.

Product #6: Ghan Jeevamrut — Solid Form

What it is: A solid version of Jeevamrut, easier to handle, better shelf life.

Ingredients: Cow dung (partially decomposed), cow urine, jaggery, gram flour/lentils, soil, drying trays.

Steps: Prepare a thick mixture similar to Jeevamrut and form cakes/granules; dry in the shade and pack. Specify dosage per acre/crop.

Product #7: Panchgavya — Fermented Farm Tonic

What it is: A fermented mixture of milk, curd, ghee, cow dung, and cow urine; some places also add sugarcane juice/coconut water/banana pulp. Primarily for crops.

Ingredients (Basic): Cow dung 5 kg, cow urine 3–5 liters, milk 2 liters, curd 2 liters, ghee 1 kg, water 20–25 liters (Optional: jaggery 1 kg).

Steps:

1) Mix cow dung + cow urine in a large drum first.
2) In a separate container, whisk milk, curd, and ghee well and add.
3) Add water/jaggery; stir 2–3 times daily; fermentation for 7–12 days (depending on temperature/weather).
4) Filter, label, and provide usage instructions.

Note: Position this as an input for agricultural use; Learn local regulations before making health/medicinal claims.

Product #8: Distilled Cow Urine Extract — Compliance-Conscious Approach

What it is: A clean extract obtained by distilling cow urine, used for various purposes in different regions.

Process Steps: Steel/glass distillation apparatus, low heat; collect extract through vapor condensation.

Compliance Warning: If presenting a product as a beverage/medicine, adherence to local/national regulations (e.g., FSSAI/AYUSH, etc.) and labeling rules is crucial. Do not make unlicensed health claims; keep it within the scope of agricultural/cleaning/research purposes.

Product #9: Cow-Based Natural Cleaner (Floor/Toilet/Surface)

What it is: A cleaner for home/farm based on cow urine/lemon/neem/shikakai/citric acid (food grade).

Ingredients (Example Formula — Floor Cleaner): Cow urine filtrate 1 L, Neem/Eucalyptus extract 50–100 ml, Citric acid 5–10 g (dissolved), Distilled water 1–2 L, Optional natural fragrance 1–2 ml.

Steps: Filter all liquids through a clean filter; mix according to measurements; maintain pH ~6–7; pack in 500 ml/1 L bottles; include a warning to keep away from children.

Quality: No sediment formation; balanced transparency/odor; Make small batches for shelf life.

Product #10: Organic Pesticide/Tree Spray (Herbal Bio-Pesticide)

What it is: An extract of neem leaves/seeds, garlic, chili peppers, datura, etc., with cow urine, considered useful for reducing pest pressure on crops.

Basic Mixture Example: Cow urine 5 liters, neem leaves/seeds 2 kg, garlic 250 grams, green chilies 250 grams, water 5–10 liters.

Steps:

1) Crush/grind the neem/garlic/chilies and soak in cow urine for 24–48 hours.
2) Add water and heat gently (do not boil), strain through a cloth once cooled.
3) Dilute with water in a 1:10–1:20 ratio before spraying.

Note: Specify dosage/interval as per farmer consultation; mention the use of protective equipment.

Product #11: Handwash/Liquid Soap (Mild, Natural)

What it is: With mild surfactants (choose eco-friendly options), cow urine filtrate/infusion, and neem/aloe vera extract.

Step Hints: Dilute the base surfactant as per instructions; add cow urine filtrate/neem extract; balance viscosity; provide allergy/patch test instructions; ensure clear labeling.Quality Control: What gets measured, gets improved

Moisture and pH: Vermicompost moisture 20–25% (before packing), cleaner/extract pH within target range.

Microbial Hygiene: Loose lid during fermentation; daily stirring; isolate batch if odor/mold is observed.

Stability Testing: Prepare small batches and observe for 30–60 days; note color/odor/sediment.

Traceability: Batch number, manufacturing/expiry date, raw material source; helpful for quick action on complaints.

Packaging, Branding and Labeling

Packaging: Strong HDPE bags for compost; food-grade/chemical-grade bottles for liquids; leak-proof caps.

Labeling: Clear instructions including product name, net quantity, batch/manufacturing date, usage instructions, precautions, manufacturer details, “For agricultural use only” (where applicable).

Branding: Simple name, local language, clear identification (leaf/cow icon), QR code linking to WhatsApp/website. Makes reordering easy for customers.

Licensing/Compliance Notes (Brief)

Agricultural Inputs: Many states may require registration/notification for organic inputs. Seek guidance from your agriculture department/KVK.

Food/Health Claims: