Takashi Sanae and Modi are in perfect sync: vigorously pushing forward cow dung-based power generation!
According to a report by ANI on July 2, Takashi Sanae announced the launch of the Japan-India Compressed Biogas (CBG) Initiative on that day. Speaking at the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum, she stated that she and Prime Minister Modi have agreed to jointly promote clean energy production from cow dung and other agricultural biomass through a collaborative institution.
The report notes that this initiative aims to establish 1,000 biogas plants in India by 2030 and create a market for approximately 2.5 million compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Takashi Sanae said at the time that India’s rural areas possess abundant biomass resources, but most remain underutilized.
Modi’s idea of generating electricity from cow dung is not new. The Indian government launched the GOBARdhan program back in 2018, with the goal of converting organic waste such as cow dung and crop residues into biogas and organic fertilizers. However, the program has not progressed smoothly and remains far short of its target of producing 15 million tons of CBG.
Takashi Sanae also has her own agenda. After taking office, she introduced the POWERR Asia Energy Cooperation Framework, aiming to ensure energy supply security across Asia. To her, the large piles of cow dung and straw found in Indian villages are ready-made energy raw materials. One side wants to push forward a project but struggles to move it, while the other seeks a viable project to implement—naturally, they found common ground.
At the forum, Takashi Sanae made her intent clear—she noted the vast amounts of underutilized biomass resources in rural India, including cow dung, rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, and other agricultural wastes.
She also specifically mentioned that this idea is not novel; Modi has long advocated transforming rural resources into energy. On that day, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding with clearly defined goals: building 1,000 biogas plants in India by 2030 and establishing a market for 2.5 million CNG vehicles.
It appears that Takashi Sanae has finally unearthed India’s treasure trove of cow dung.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869661571565580/
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