Pune: There is a high demand for ethanol in the country and we should focus on its production rather than sugar, said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Addressing a gathering organised by Agrowan, a Sakal media publication, dedicated to the agriculture sector, he said, “The requirement of sugar in the country is around 280 lakh tonnes and sugar produced yearly is higher than that.” Asserting that demand for ethanol is very high, Gadkari said it is better to focus on ethanol production rather than sugar.
“India is spending Rs 16 lakh crore every year to import ethanol. If we divert Rs 5 lakh crore to the agriculture sector, our farmers will become energy providers (Urjaadaata) and food providers (Annadaata),” he further added.
The Union government has set a target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol, and the various state government are moving in the same direction by boosting the ethanol output.
Sugar industry experts are also bullish on India’s ethanol sector. They believe ethanol blending target will be achieved ahead of schedule.
