Suzuki Motor Corp. announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with the National Dairy Development Board to scale up biogas production across India.
According to a statement, both parties signed the agreement on Dec. 25 at NDDB’s headquarters in Anand, Gujarat, setting up a joint venture to create a nationwide network of biogas plants.
As part of the deal, Suzuki R&D Center India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of SMC, will invest in NDDB Mrida Ltd., an offshoot of the dairy development board specializing in biogas and organic fertilizer initiatives.
The collaboration aims to harness dairy farm waste — specifically dung — to produce clean energy and organic fertilizers, advancing a circular economy that minimizes reliance on chemical inputs in agriculture.
NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah welcomed SMC President Toshihiro Suzuki at the signing ceremony and called the partnership a groundbreaking alliance between the dairy and automobile sectors.
“This will create more value for dairy farmers through the efficient utilization of dung to produce clean energy and organic fertilizers while promoting a circular economy,” said Shah in the statement.
He further stated that Suzuki’s expertise will immensely assist the dairy sector in achieving long-term sustainability.
President Suzuki lauded NDDB’s pioneering work and envisaged NDDB Mrida Ltd. becoming a dominant player in India’s biogas industry.
SRDI Director Kenichiro Toyofuku formalized the agreement with NDDB Executive Director S Rajeev in the presence of prominent dairy cooperatives, including Amul Dairy, Banas Dairy, Dudhsagar Dairy and Panchmahal Dairy.
Expanding a Proven Model
Suzuki’s commitment to biogas development in India is not new. SRDI has previously collaborated with NDDB to establish dung-based compressed biogas plants in Gujarat.
Four such plants are already under construction in the Banaskantha district in partnership with Banas Dairy, with additional projects planned alongside other dairy cooperatives like Amul and Dudhsagar Dairy.
With Suzuki’s investment in NDDB Mrida Ltd., the initiative will expand more rapidly, focusing on scaled production and streamlined operations.
These biogas plants will provide clean energy and produce organic fertilizers marketed under the Sudhan brand, further supporting sustainable agriculture.
This partnership between SMC and the NDDB marks a significant step towards fostering sustainability in both the automotive and agricultural sectors.
