Cow dung exports: India’s organic touch in UAE’s date groves

India is tapping into a growing global demand for sustainable agriculture by exporting cow dung, particularly to the UAE, where it’s being used to enhance date farming. With rising awareness around organic cultivation and soil health, what was once a rural byproduct is now gaining ground as a scalable agri-export opportunity.

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India’s cow dung exports to the UAE are rising steadily, driven by a surprising but strong demand from farmers who want to improve the quality of dates. In the UAE’s dry desert conditions, maintaining healthy soil is a challenge. Cow dung, rich in organic nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, offers a natural way to boost soil fertility and support better crop yields. For date farmers, using organic manure helps produce sweeter, larger, and more resilient fruits without relying on chemical fertilizers. Cow dung is being used mainly as an organic soil conditioner. It improves the structure of sandy soils, increases moisture retention, and supports microbial activity critical for healthy plant growth. For crops like dates, which require balanced soil nutrition over long periods, cow dung offers a sustainable solution that aligns with the global move toward chemical-free farming.

In India, cow dung has a rich cultural significance and has been an integral part of rural life. For centuries, farmers have used it to enrich their fields, make biogas for energy, and even plaster walls and floors of homes in villages. Applying a layer of cow dung mixed with mud on walls and floors helped maintain hygiene and also kept homes cooler in summer by reducing indoor temperatures naturally. Its antiseptic and thermal properties made it a practical solution long before modern technologies entered rural India. This deep-rooted knowledge is now finding new relevance as the world searches for sustainable ways to manage soil health and climate impact.

The growing demand for organic fertilizers is not limited to the UAE. Countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations are also importing Indian cow dung to promote sustainable farming and improve agricultural productivity. The nutrient-rich properties of cow dung make it an attractive natural fertilizer for regions where maintaining soil quality is a major challenge.

India’s cow dung exports now cater to a range of international markets. Apart from the Arab countries, key importers include the Maldives, the United States, Singapore, China, Nepal, and Brazil. The variety of cow dung products being exported is also expanding — from fresh cow dung to fertilizers, pesticides, compost manure, dry cow dung cakes, and cow dung powder. Each product serves different farming needs, and Indian exporters are now customizing and processing manure to meet international standards.

India is well positioned to meet this rising demand. As the world’s largest cattle-owning country, India generates over 3 million tonnes of cow dung every day, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Traditionally, a large part of this dung was either used locally or left unutilized. Now, with better collection systems, processing units, and packaging methods, Indian exporters are turning cow dung into a standardized, marketable product. In international markets, the price of dried and processed cow dung ranges from ₹5 to ₹15 per kilogram, depending on quality and treatment.

The benefits of cow dung as a manure are well established. It provides essential nutrients to the soil, improves its structure, enhances aeration, reduces erosion, and supports the natural nitrogen cycle. Unlike chemical fertilizers that can harm the environment with prolonged use, cow dung releases nutrients slowly, supporting healthy and sustainable crop growth over time.

The government is also actively promoting organic farming and natural soil enhancers. The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) supports organic farming practices across India, while programs like Chhattisgarh’s Godhan Nyay Yojana have created successful models of dung collection and commercialization. Such initiatives not only encourage sustainable agriculture but also open up new income sources for rural communities.

The growth of India’s cow dung export industry highlights the country’s potential in the global organic fertilizer market. With its rich cattle population and traditional farming knowledge, India is now well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural solutions worldwide.

At the same time, the rise of cow dung exports shows how agriculture is evolving. Entrepreneurs are investing in organized manure production, branding organic composts, and building strong supply chains to tap into emerging global markets. For exporters, farmers, and agri-businesses, cow dung offers more than just a niche opportunity. It represents a shift toward organic farming, sustainable soil management, and new economic possibilities driven by simple, natural resources.

With growing awareness, supportive policies, and expanding markets, India’s cow dung story is proving that traditional practices, when combined with modern opportunities, can build a strong future for global agriculture.