Support Farmers, Promote Biofuels, Says Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged stronger policies to support farmers through biofuel production. Highlighting sugarcane, maize, and other crops as raw material for ethanol, he stressed that biofuels can boost farmer incomes, reduce crude imports, and create a sustainable rural economy.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has reiterated the importance of biofuel production as a dual solution for energy security and farmer prosperity. Speaking at an agricultural innovation meet, he noted that India spends billions annually on crude oil imports, while farmers often struggle with low prices for their produce. By promoting ethanol and other biofuels, Gadkari argued, the government can ensure a fair market for crops while cutting down on foreign exchange outflows.
Gadkari emphasized that crops like sugarcane, maize, and surplus grains hold tremendous potential as feedstock for biofuel production. Instead of allowing excess grain to go to waste or rot in godowns, converting it into ethanol could provide farmers with stable incomes and reduce losses. He urged state governments and private investors to collaborate in setting up ethanol plants near rural clusters, ensuring direct procurement from farmers.
The minister highlighted Maharashtra as a pioneer in ethanol production, with sugar mills already supplying a significant portion of India’s blending requirements. He pointed out that expanding the ethanol blending program to 20% by 2025 will not only reduce emissions but also generate rural jobs. Gadkari maintained that biofuels are “a win-win for farmers, industry, and the environment.”
Addressing environmental concerns, Gadkari said biofuels provide a cleaner, greener alternative to fossil fuels. They help reduce carbon footprints, minimize vehicular pollution, and align with India’s commitment to renewable energy targets. According to him, biofuel expansion can make agriculture more climate-resilient by diversifying farmers’ income streams and strengthening rural infrastructure.
The minister concluded by urging policymakers, industry leaders, and farmer groups to treat biofuel not just as an energy source, but as an agricultural revolution. “Every liter of ethanol purchased is an investment in the farmer’s livelihood and the nation’s sustainability,” he said. His remarks have renewed debates on balancing food security with energy needs, as India accelerates its journey toward clean and farmer-centric growth.
