Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has urged sugar mill owners to reduce their dependence on sugar production and focus more on ethanol as a key revenue source.
Speaking at the Kisan Veer factory premises in Bhuinj, Gadkari said that earning profits solely from sugar has become increasingly difficult. He suggested that mills should scale up ethanol production and, in the coming years, establish their own ethanol retail outlets to remain financially viable.
The minister was addressing a gathering after being honoured with the Deshbhakt Abasaheb Veer Krutagnyata Award, presented by former Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar.
Several leaders were present at the event, including Relief and Rehabilitation Minister and factory chairman Makarand Patil, Public Works Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, and Members of Parliament Udayanraje Bhosale and Nitin Patil.
Gadkari said farmers should not only be seen as food producers but also as energy providers, adding that the sector must now move towards becoming a source of fuel as well. He announced that vehicles capable of running on 80 percent ethanol will be introduced on the upcoming World Environment Day, and automobile manufacturers have been asked to work towards developing vehicles that can run entirely on ethanol in the future.
He also noted that using ethanol or bio-CNG in agricultural machinery could significantly lower farming costs. Emphasising the need for modernization, Gadkari called for the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence to drive future growth in agriculture.
Earlier, Makarand Patil said it was an honour for the region to host Gadkari and present him with the award. Shivendraraje Bhosale praised Gadkari’s vision and expressed confidence that future infrastructure projects would benefit their constituencies.
The event began with a welcome address by Pramod Shinde, while director Dilip Pisal delivered the vote of thanks.
