Cow dung management, biogas production and the uses of bio-slurry for sustainable agriculture

In the dairy farming sector of Bangladesh, cow dung management practices are increasing daily. In this study, proper management of cow dung and its potentiality was analyzed. The utilization of cow dung and its application in biogas generation have been highlighted. Economic gains through cow dung management and its social acceptability were also determined. Cow dung is commonly used as fuel, compost, fish feeding, biogas production, and fresh application in agricultural fields, and some parts are being wasted. The waste part is creating a dirty environment. The total sustainable development index (SDI) for dairy farm waste management was 0.73, indicating a higher level of satisfaction. Effects on traditional fuel sources such as financial benefits and workload reduction through biogas production have been shown. Emphasis has been placed on using bio-slurry (a byproduct of biogas plants) in agriculture for sustainable development. Installation of a biogas plant in a household saved 8.50 kg of firewood day −1 when they were using firewood only for cooking. Similarly, 0.29 kg of petroleum gas was saved day −1 when they were used and its potentiality was also analyzed. It's saved almost 1.67 kg of chemical fertilizer day −1 . Above all, the utilization of these target products was examined, and its relation to sustainable development was shown. The total SDI score of bio-slurry waste management was about 0.81, indicating a higher satisfactory level. The findings showed that more than 90 % of households achieved the sustainable development score recommended by FAO sustainable agriculture. Economic analysis of bio-slurry in agriculture showed an average cost-benefit ratio of 3.34, indicating an economically significant outcome. The findings suggested that the management of cow dung and utilization of bio-slurry in agricultural fields helps to maintain sustainable development in the rural communities of Bangladesh, where biogas and bio-slurry utilization is strongly recommended. • Direct use of cow dung is one of the most important processes of cow dung waste management in rural Sharsha. • Composting may be the better process compared to the direct application of fresh cow dung on the agricultural fields. • Utilization of cow dung for biogas plants may be the best management practices of cow dung. • Dairy farming in Bangladesh is gaining popularity. • The total sustainable development index (SDI) for dairy farm waste management maintains a higher level of satisfaction.