The ethanol production in the current sugarcane crushing season (2022-23) has hit the billion litre (bl) mark and is counting. At present the sugarcane area and sugarcane output is estimated at 2.85 million hectares and 235 mt respectively.
“Rising ethanol production is helping the sugar mills in making faster payments to farmers,” said Additional Chief Secretary (sugarcane and excise) Sanjay Bhoosreddy.
The mills have settled nearly 75 per cent of their cane arrears in the current season, he added.
Uttar Pradesh is the country’s biggest ethanol producer. A sugar by-product, ethanol is used for a variety of purposes ranging from mixing in fossil fuel to pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
