Amit Shah Urges Sugar Mills to Diversify Ethanol Production

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah encouraged sugar mills to explore alternatives to sugarcane for ethanol production, aiming for a multidimensional approach to biofuel manufacturing. Speaking at a National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories event, Shah emphasized the need for a forward-looking approach to meet the government's 20% ethanol blending target by 2025-26.

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday urged sugar mills to explore alternatives to sugarcane for ethanol production, advocating for a multidimensional approach to biofuel manufacturing.

At a National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories event, Shah declared, ''The target for 20 per cent ethanol blending is set for 2030, but we aim to achieve this by 2025-26.'' He highlighted that the ethanol blending programme has not only reduced the country's crude oil import bill but also addressed environmental concerns.

Shah stressed the importance of a forward-looking strategy for sugar mills, stating, ''You need to be futuristic and look at opportunities to expand. Ethanol can be made from multiple sources.'' This push for diversification is part of India's broader agenda to cut down on fossil fuel dependence and promote sustainable energy solutions.