Bangladesh farmer turns dairy waste into power, fertilizer, inspiring others

In Burampur village, Pabna, Bangladesh, dairy farmer Amirul Islam has pioneered a remarkable transformation of his farm into a fully integrated, self-sustaining ecosystem. What began with his mother's simple wish for a cow over thirty years ago has evolved into an enterprise that generates milk, power, and fertilizer, while minimizing waste.

Islam, now 58, started with a single cross-bred cow purchased for Tk 14,600. He abandoned his BSc studies after his father's death and embraced dairy farming. His herd grew, and with it, the challenge of managing increasing amounts of animal waste. This led him to explore innovative solutions beyond just milk production.

Nearly two decades ago, Islam installed a small biogas plant to meet his farm's basic fuel needs. However, he sought a more comprehensive approach. Last year, he invested Tk 1.5 crore, using 40 percent from his own savings, to build a large-scale biogas generation plant. This facility processes cow dung into biogas, generates electricity, and converts the remaining waste into organic fertilizer.

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My mother wanted a cow so that nothing from our home or fields would go to waste. That was the beginning.

The advanced plant features mechanical mixers that feed cow dung into processing chambers. Biogas is purified and stored for use, while solid and liquid by-products are processed separately. "After the entire process, the cow dung becomes gas, the solid residue is turned into organic fertiliser, and the remaining water is channelled to crop fields," Islam explained. "Nothing is wasted."

The biogas produced now supplies cooking gas to about 15 households, including workers' quarters, and powers two generators with a combined output of 30 kilowatts. The solid residue is transformed into organic fertilizer powder, which is used on the farm's crops. This holistic approach not only addresses waste management but also creates multiple revenue streams and inspires a more sustainable model for farming in the region.

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After the entire process, the cow dung becomes gas, the solid residue is turned into organic fertiliser, and the remaining water is channelled to crop fields. Nothing is wasted.