Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has described ethanol blending with petrol as an important step toward diversifying India’s agriculture sector and creating new income opportunities for farmers. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Bihar Investor Summit 2026: The Emerging Investment Destination of India, Gadkari defended the government’s ethanol blending programme and rejected claims that ethanol-blended petrol is damaging vehicles.
Gadkari said that since 2022, around 4 crore four-wheelers and 20 crore two-wheelers have been operating on petrol blended with ethanol. He said there have been no widespread complaints of vehicle damage linked to ethanol blending. According to the minister, leading automobile manufacturers have also tested vehicles using higher ethanol blends, including 100% ethanol, without reported complaints.
Explaining the broader objective of the ethanol blending programme, Gadkari said the policy is aimed at moving agriculture beyond food production and creating opportunities for farmers in the energy sector. He highlighted the concept of farmers becoming not only “anna data” or food providers, but also “urja data” or energy providers. The minister said the use of agricultural commodities such as corn for ethanol production has helped generate additional income for farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. 
Gadkari also highlighted the government’s focus on developing alternative fuels through innovation and technology. He said aviation fuel has been produced using rice straw, demonstrating the potential of agricultural waste as a source of energy.
According to the minister, India continues to spend substantially on conventional fuel imports, making the development of domestic biofuels strategically important. He said future growth would increasingly depend on innovation, technology, research and renewable energy solutions.
Gadkari also pointed to Bihar’s potential in sectors including tourism and agricultural products such as makhana (fox nuts), which has significant international demand. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary urged investors to establish businesses in the state, assuring them of access to a large market for quality
