Ethanol touted as boost for farmer incomes and fuel import reduction, says Nitin Gadkari

New Delhi – Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari highlighted ethanol as a dual solution for the agricultural sector and the nation’s balance of payments. He said that expanding ethanol production from surplus sugarcane and other feedstocks would directly raise farmers' incomes by providing an additional market for their crops.

Gadkari added that a larger share of ethanol in the fuel mix would reduce the volume of crude oil that India needs to import, thereby easing pressure on the foreign exchange reserve. The minister linked the move to the government's broader push for bio‑fuel blending and rural development.

While no specific targets were disclosed in the statement, the minister urged state governments and industry players to accelerate ethanol projects, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with both agricultural prosperity and energy security goals.