India and Japan discuss Co-operative led Compressed Biogas Projects

In a significant move towards strengthening sustainable agriculture and clean energy cooperation, India and Japan have initiated discussions on promoting sustainability and circularity in the dairy sector through cooperative-led Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects. The discussions took place during a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Cooperation and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan in New Delhi.

The meeting focused on exploring partnership opportunities for setting up CBG plants through dairy cooperatives, a model that is expected to provide economic as well as environmental benefits to rural India. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision of cooperative-led development and clean energy expansion.

Dr. Ashish Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, highlighted the various measures undertaken by the ministry to strengthen cooperative institutions across the country. He stressed the growing importance of sustainability and circularity in the dairy ecosystem, particularly through the establishment of biogas plants linked to dairy cooperatives.

According to officials, dairy-based CBG plants can convert cattle waste into clean fuel and organic manure, thereby creating an additional and stable income stream for farmers. The initiative is also expected to reduce environmental pollution, improve waste management practices and address sanitation-related concerns in rural areas.

Dr. Bhutani noted that the cooperative structure offers an effective framework for implementing such projects at scale because of its strong grassroots presence and direct engagement with milk producers. The proposed collaboration with Japan is expected to bring technological expertise and global best practices in renewable energy and waste-to-wealth systems.

The Japanese delegation was led by Takehiko Matsuo, who discussed avenues for bilateral cooperation in sustainable dairy infrastructure and clean energy solutions. Senior officials from both countries participated in the deliberations.

Among those present were Raman Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation, and S. Rajeev along with other senior representatives from the National Dairy Development Board and the Ministry of Cooperation.

The discussions are being viewed as an important step in advancing India’s “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” vision by integrating cooperative development with renewable energy, rural sustainability and circular economy practices.