Centre policy to diversify surplus agricultural produce as fuel

The Centre is mulling a policy that can help diversify surplus agricultural produce towards the energy and power sector.

Union MSME minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said the government is exploring means to substitute Rs 8 lakh crore worth of petroleum imports with ethanol made from surplus sugar, rice and corn. But production of ethanol on such a large scale would need specialised industrial units and this has prompted the Centre to explore the scope of policy intervention.

“India may substitute the import of Rs 8 lakh crore of petroleum with ethanol made from sugarcane, rice and corn which is surplus in the country,” said Gadkari at the annual general meeting of the Bharat Chamber of Commerce.