Gadkari launches Khadi Prakritik Paint, a first-of-its-kind cow dung paint

New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways & MSME Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched an innovative new paint – India's first cow dung paint – developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at his residence. The eco-friendly, non-toxic paint, called "Khadi Prakritik Paint" is a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties. Based on cow dung as its main ingredient, the paint is cost-effective and odorless, and has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

On the occasion, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for MSME Pratap Chandra Sarangi and KVIC's Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena were also present.

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Speaking at the launch function, the Minister said the step is aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of increasing farmers' income. The step, he said, is part of an effort to improve the rural economy to such an extent that reverse migration begins from the cities to rural areas. Pointing out that the paint is priced at only Rs 120 per liter for the distemper, and Rs 225 per liter for the emulsion, he said this is less than half the price charged by big paint companies. Stressing that the role of the government is only that of a facilitator, he said the paint will be marketed in a professional manner, and taken to all corners of the country.

Khadi Prakritik Paint is available in two forms – distemper paint and plastic emulsion paint. The project was conceptualised by Chairman KVIC in March 2020, and later developed by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur (a KVIC unit).

The paint is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and others. It will be a boost to local manufacturing and will create sustainable local employment through technology transfer. This technology will increase the consumption of cow dung as a raw material for eco-friendly products and will generate additional revenue to farmers and gaushalas. The utilization of cow dung will also clean the environment and prevent clogging of drains.

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