Govt pushes ethanol roadmap, focus on farm support and clean energy transition

Govt Pushes Ethanol Roadmap: The government is stepping up its ethanol strategy with a wider policy push that links agriculture, clean energy and waste management. Agriculture Commissioner Mehraj AS outlined a set of initiatives designed to bolster the ethanol sector and open up fresh avenues for farmers.

Focus on Feedstock Policy and Farm Support

The core of this strategy revolves around a well-defined policy concerning the feedstock used in ethanol production. The government is actively working to refine the process of sourcing these raw materials, particularly focusing on crops like maize and sugarcane. Farmers growing these specific crops will continue to receive support, indicating a deliberate effort to connect agricultural practices with energy requirements.

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Ethanol Use Beyond Fuel

Furthermore, discussions are currently underway between the agriculture ministry and other government departments regarding the use of ethanol in cooking stoves.

The move is being explored as part of a broader effort to expand ethanol’s role beyond fuel blending and into everyday energy use.

'Waste to Wealth' Push

A key highlight of the strategy is the "waste to wealth" approach. Under this vision, the government is preparing to utilise damaged food grains and surplus vegetables for ethanol production. This is expected to reduce wastage while generating additional value from agricultural produce that would otherwise go unused.

Carbon Credits and New Portal

To further support the industry, carbon credit certificates will be issued to ethanol producers. This step is likely to incentivise cleaner production practices and attract more participation in the sector. A dedicated portal for this initiative is scheduled to go live in July.

Aviation Fuel Plans in Focus

The roadmap also touches on the aviation sector. A meeting on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is planned for September, indicating early-stage discussions on cleaner alternatives in air travel. As part of long-term targets, ethanol blending in aviation fuel is set to begin at 1 per cent in 2027, increasing to 2 per cent in 2028.