Dried cow dung patties – cow faeces mixed with hay and dried in the sun – have long been used in rural India to fuel fires for cooking, warmth, and religious rituals.
But thanks to the online retail platforms like Amazon and eBay, rural sellers are able to tap into India’s increasing urban demand for the product.
It might seem off-putting on first glance, but dried cow dung lacks the putrid scent wet faeces can have.
It is also an organic fuel source and combusts more cleanly than coal or gas.
Of course the greatest contributor to the lack of disgust surrounding this practice in India is the holy status of cows in Hindu religion.
Most online orders come from the city, where it is difficult to buy quality, affordable dung cakes.
Though Indian city dwellers typically use gas and kerosene fuels for heating and cooking, the use of cow dung patties is an increasing trend.
“Increasingly, in the cold weather, people are keeping themselves warm by lighting fires using them,” said Radhika Agarwal of ShopClues, a major Indian online retailer.
Online sales have been especially high this holiday season, with some retailers even offering gift-wrapping services.
"Cow dung cakes have been listed by multiple sellers on our platform since October and we have received several customer orders since then,” said Amazon India spokeswoman Madhavi Kochar.
Some Indian retailers even offer gift-wrapping for cow dung bought online. Source: NBC
The spike in sales has two main influences –seasonal Hindu festivities that require these patties, and the growing migration of rural villagers to the city.
December and January herald New Year’s and winter harvest festivals like Lohri and Sankranti that are celebrated with large bonfires.
India’s urban population has also grown drastically in the last few years, with many residences moving from rural townships to the metropolis for work and education.
For those who grew up in rural villages, the scent of burning dung patties evokes nostalgia.
"It reminds them of the old days," said Agarwal.
Cakes are sold in packages containing two to eight pieces with each piece weighting 200 grams.
Prices for these packages range from AU $4 to $11.
Cow dung patties are typically made by women in rural communities.
Whether this could be the start of female entrepreneurship or the start of a booming rural enterprise is yet to be seen.
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