Pune, Sep 15 – Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that ethanol production has played a key role in saving sugarcane farmers and sugar factories in Maharashtra, many of which were struggling to survive.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Naam Foundation — a group started by actors Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure to fight drought and support farmers — Gadkari explained how ethanol gave a new lease of life to the sugar industry.
He said, “Growing only grains and pulses isn’t enough for farmers to earn a good living. Ethanol has kept the sugar industry alive. Without it, nearly 90% of sugar mills in western Maharashtra might have shut down.”
He also mentioned upcoming alternatives to diesel, such as isobutanol, and plans to create aviation fuel from biogas, as part of a push for cleaner, locally produced energy.
Gadkari highlighted that Brazil sells sugar in the global market for less than it costs to produce in Maharashtra, making it hard for Indian producers to compete. Ethanol has helped make up for this loss.
He urged farmers to look beyond just food crops and become producers of fuel, electricity, aviation fuel, bitumen, and hydrogen, which he believes will lead to stronger rural economies.
He also noted how ethanol made from corn has pushed up prices for corn, benefiting farmers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra, with production now three times higher and multiple harvests possible in a year.
On the issue of water, Gadkari said better water management is key to improving agriculture. While 23 inter-state river water disputes existed, he claimed most have been resolved.
He added that increasing milk production and expanding irrigation by 65% in Maharashtra would help fix many of the state’s agricultural problems.
Later in the day, at another event where he was honoured by the Geeta Dharma Mandal, Gadkari suggested using modern tools like videos and reels to share the message of the Bhagavad Geeta with youth. He said it could help them understand the deeper purpose of life and politics.
“Politics shouldn’t just be about power. It should be about social reform. The problem today isn’t that people have different opinions — it’s that many don’t have any opinion at all,” he concluded.
