The Indian government has begun discussions to establish a roadmap for sustainable energy solutions beyond the 20 per cent ethanol blending target, indicating a forward-thinking strategy that anticipates future energy needs. To support this initiative, the government has sought suggestions from key industry bodies.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) meeting was recently held on 30th November in New Delhi to discuss the ‘Roadmap for Ethanol Blending Beyond 2025.’
The Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA), a leading ethanol industry body in India, was among the stakeholders invited to provide input.
As the majority stake-holder in ethanol supply chain, GEMA has submitted its detailed recommendations to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) regarding the roadmap for ethanol blending beyond 2025. The association emphasized need to focus on sustaining the rural development and industrial investment which has been achieved due to Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
The key recommendations by GEMA include:
1. Ethanol Blending percentage should be in line with feedstock availability in the country.
2. Blending percentage should be increased to secure the industrial capacity, which has been built-up as per calling by GOI.
3. Secure feedstock supply by facilitating surplus FCI rice, until there is sufficient maize to cover the blending targets.
4. Update Environmental Clearance conditions to allow the DEP’s to produce by-products such as Corn Oil, Distillers’ Grain Solid Cake, High-Protein grades of grain solids, etc.
5. Develop flexi-fuel vehicles and dispensing infrastructure for petroleum of different grades.
Dr. C.K. Jain, President of GEMA, highlighted the transformative impact of EBPP on rural employment and maize cultivation. He stated that focus should be to sustain the extra-ordinary achievement by united efforts of government and private industry.
Also read: Government begins talk on preparing roadmap beyond 20 per cent ethanol blending
For detailed information and further insights, please refer to Chinimandi.com, which provides news about the Ethanol Industry.
Beyond 20% ethanol blending will put sugar production and other feed stocks under stress
Unless more crop is cultivated govt should continue to have 20% only
Allow Genetically modified Maize import or even GM maize into India to ensure there’s no shortage.
Rice production has very high requirement of water which is not worth promoting its production.
People eat rice not maize. Simple reason why rice is grown. Thank you.
Maize requires less water compared to rice production
So more states and more maize farmers to be listed by NCCF
Not only maize jowar also requires less water to produce .
Maharashtra KARNATAKA M P likes states can increase production and NCCF can also list jowar growing farmers and procure at MSP and provide to nearby distillaries
Price of Ethanol shall be made uniform for all feedstock production
GST on GRAIN BASE ETHANOL msg equipment and machary shall be brought down to 5% from 18%.
Finance procedure from bank should simplified and expedite
Environmental clearance is to simplified and made it fast
EC IS being felt difficulty by investors
I believe Smart Grids’s role in facilitating a transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system is critical, especially as the share of renewables in energy generation continues to grow.
Jawar (sorghum) normal and sweet sorghum is also to be included in others grain category ,OMC should fix price for ethanol from others grain.
State govt.s can declare some subsidy on per litre of Ethanol , based on crop production volume and yield .This will give boost to more motivation for state farmers and better diversion of balance grain after towards Ethanol production.