Cow dung cake is a traditional fuel used in cooking and for lighting fires. The dung cake is also used to make fires during festivals like Lohri, a winter festival in India. The dung cake is sold in packages of two to eight pieces weighing 200 grams (7 ounces). It costs between 100 and 400 rupees or $6 per package. It is also used as organic manure for kitchen gardens. Some sellers have even begun selling it as an organic fertilizer.
Cow dung cake contains a high fiber content and helps produce high-quality paper. The fibers from the cow excrement are pressed into the surface of the paper. The finished paper can then be sold on the open market. This makes the cow dung cake a useful resource that is often ignored by many.
The dried cow dung cake is very useful for cooking. In eastern India and Bangladesh, cow dung cakes are used as fuel. In the eastern states, it is burnt in chulhas. The smoke from these chulhas can be toxic, particularly for women. Women working in these areas often sit close to the chulhas, where they inhale the dangerous gases.
While cow dung from India is prohibited in the US because it can transmit disease, there is an ethical issue associated with using the cow dung. This is because of the possibility of introducing foot and mouth disease to cattle and the subsequent economic loss it causes. The resulting halt in international livestock trade may be catastrophic.
Cow dung cakes are often sold on e-commerce sites. Some online sellers sell the cakes for $2.99 (roughly Rs. 214) - significantly less than the price on Amazon and Flipkart. While the cow dung cakes are not edible, their monetary value is great. The cakes are also sold for religious purposes.
Cow dung cakes are a common alternative fuel in rural areas of India. They are traditionally made from cow dung and covered with bitauda thatch. The resulting cakes purify the air and produce prana (oxygen). They are a natural disinfectant and are a common household fuel source.
Cow dung is a cheap source of fertilizer. In addition to being a cheap source of fertilizer, cow manure also helps maintain the texture of the soil. However, cow dung is an excellent source of greenhouse gas methane, and the runoff pollutes the water. Aside from being used for fertilization, cow dung is used in Indian ceremonies and is said to have anti-radiation properties.
Cow dung can be dried and used as a fuel for stoves. The dried dung is made into a flat dung cake or moulded around a stick, and may also be mixed with other fuels to increase its energy density. However, it is important to note that dried dung is still an inorganic fuel, and may not be accepted in some cultures.
