Cow’s manure on Amazon: it’s sales boom in India

In India cow’s manure is used as fuel for cooking and for religious rituals.

Thanks to the diffusion of Internet, in India it is possible to buy online “loaves” of cow poop. The traditional and environmentally friendly fuel, made from dry and compressed manure, it is sold since several months on Amazon, eBay and other popular website of online commerce. According to Indian media report, he has had a great success among the urban population, especially among people with a more religious sensitivity. The product is used by the faithful in the occasion of Hindu religious festivals like Diwali. On Amazon a package of “cow dung cake” 100% pure with 11 pieces of 200 grams each is sold for 99 rupees (about 1.30 euro).

In the villages, particularly in northern India, it is a usual practice to collect by the road excrement of cows and buffaloes and then let them dry on the walls of the huts. It’s a job usually reserved for women, who take care of the home. But in cities like New Delhi and Mumbai the loaves are no longer available as the bovines that once hung in the streets are almost gone.

For millions of Hindus, the cow is a sacred animal and its products, including excrement and urine, are used for different purification rituals and medicine. The urine in particular is considered a disinfectant and drunk with devotion by the most faithful. Are sold in stores – and more recently online in the form of soaps, skin creams and shampoos – products based on manure and urine.