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New Delhi : Union Road Transport & Highways & MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari launched an innovative new paint – India’s first cow dung paint – developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission at his residence here on January 12, 2021.
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 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Minister Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for MSME. Pratap Chandra Sarangi, and Chairman, KVIC, Vinai Kumar Saxena were also present.
Speaking at the launch function, Gadkari 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 litre for the distemper, and Rs 225 per litre for the emulsion, Gadkari said this is less than half the price charged by big paint companies, according to a PIB release.
Stressing that the role of the government is only that of a facilitator, Gadkari 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 consumption of cow dung as a raw material for eco-friendly products and will generate additional revenue to farmers and gaushalas. Utilisation of cow dung will also clean the environment and prevent clogging of drains.
Khadi Prakritik Emulsion paint meets BIS 15489:2013 standards; whereas Khadi Prakritik Distemper paint meets BIS 428:2013 standards. The paint has successfully passed various test parameters such as application of paint, thinning properties, drying time and finish, among others. It dries in less than 4 hours and has a smooth and uniform finish. The paint can be applied on interior as well as exterior walls. Both distemper and emulsion paints are available in white base colour, and it can be developed in any color by suitably mixing colorants.