New Delhi, 2025:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has called on sugar producers to reduce their reliance on just making sugar and instead start investing more in producing ethanol, green hydrogen, and other clean energy alternatives. Speaking at the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Conference, Gadkari said this shift is crucial because India is producing more sugar than it actually needs.
Why Is This Important?
Too Much Sugar = Trouble for Farmers
India is already producing more sugar than it can consume. If countries like Brazil also increase their sugar output, global prices could fall. That would hurt Indian farmers and sugar mills financially.
High Costs, Low Profits
It now costs nearly as much to produce sugar as the price it sells for — meaning profit margins are shrinking. By switching to ethanol and green fuels, sugar mills and farmers can reduce their risks and increase earnings.
Reducing Oil Imports and Pollution
India spends about ₹22 lakh crore every year on importing fuel. Gadkari says switching to ethanol-blended fuel, bio-CNG, and green hydrogen can cut this cost and also reduce pollution.
Farmers Can Be Energy Producers Too
Gadkari said farmers should not only be seen as “annadata” (food providers) but also as “urjadata” (energy providers). Crops like sugarcane and broken rice can be used to produce ethanol, giving farmers new sources of income.
What This Means for Farmers
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More ways to earn: Farmers can benefit by growing crops for ethanol and other bio-energy uses, not just sugar.
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Less risk from falling sugar prices: If the sugar market drops, ethanol can provide a backup source of income.
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Future-ready farming: Investing in green energy helps make agriculture more sustainable and less vulnerable to changing climate or government policies.
