New Delhi: The Union government is actively considering a proposal for state-run cooperatives to undertake the procurement of maize (corn) from farmers starting the next Rabi season, according to livemint.
This initiative aims to support the government’s ambitious target of achieving ethanol-blended fuel. In an interview with the media, Sanjeev Chopra, the Union food and public distribution secretary, revealed that if the proposal is approved, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (Nafed) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) will be tasked with procuring maize from farmers at state-defined guaranteed prices.
Presently, biofuels, particularly ethanol, are primarily produced from sources like sugarcane and grains such as rice and maize. Approximately 25% of the country’s ethanol is derived from cane juice, with an additional 50% sourced from molasses, a byproduct of sugarcane refining. The remaining proportion is obtained from grains.
In line with its commitment to environmentally friendly practices, the government is aiming to increase the blending of ethanol with petrol to 20% by the fiscal year 2025-26, a significant rise from the current 12%. This strategic move aligns with the government’s broader agenda to promote cleaner and less-polluting fuel alternatives.
