Lucknow: In what critics call a misplaced development strategy, the Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled an ambitious plan to promote cow-based products across the state. Under this scheme, Panchgavya medicine units, organic fertiliser plants, and cow dung paint manufacturing centres will be established in all 75 districts. Each district will have one self-reliant cow shelter, equipped with biogas plants, cow dung block production, and bio-seed innovation.
While officials claim this initiative will boost rural employment and make villages self-sufficient under the ‘One District-One Innovation’ model, questions are being raised about the government’s development priorities, especially in a state struggling with issues like healthcare access, school infrastructure, and law and order.
According to Dr Anurag Srivastava, Officer on Special Duty at the Uttar Pradesh Gau Seva Commission, the goal is to make these gaushalas hubs for local economic activity. Youth and women self-help groups will be roped in to produce and sell cow based goods ranging from biogas and fertiliser to cow urine medicine and dung bricks.
The state claims that district specific plans are being designed based on local strengths. However, skeptics argue that this initiative is less about innovation and more about ideology, aimed at promoting symbolism rather than addressing rural distress. Concerns also persist over the scientific validity and market demand for products like dung-based paint and cow urine remedies.
With the government pushing ahead, the plan now faces scrutiny not just for its potential impact but for its reflection of policy priorities in India’s most populous state.
