Maharashtra’s sugar mills should avoid producing sugar beyond domestic demand and instead increase ethanol production to tap rising global demand, Dr Shyamrao Desai, founder of the ethanol movement and national president of the Biofuel Farmers’ Organisation, said.
A greater focus on ethanol could help sugarcane farmers earn more than ₹5,000 per tonne for cane supplied to mills, Desai said while addressing the 19th lecture series held in memory of Zhumbarlal Karwa and Prof Kamalnayan Karwa at Smt Kesharbai Lahoti College, Divya Marathi reported.
Desai said ethanol could be produced from sugarcane, maize and sorghum, giving farmers an additional source of income. He also called for greater use of ethanol to reduce India’s dependence on imported fuel and lower foreign exchange expenditure.
He cited Brazil’s experience, saying the country has been using ethanol as a fuel on a large scale since 1975. India could similarly expand domestic ethanol production and consumption to strengthen energy security and support the agriculture and industrial sectors, he said.
“Promoting ethanol production and consumption will not only reduce dependence on imported fuel but also support the country’s agriculture and industrial sectors,” Desai said.
Ranjit Band, managing director of Aspa Band Sons, spoke on ethanol and automobile engines during the programme. He said vehicles capable of operating entirely on ethanol could become a reality in the future and said ethanol does not cause some technical problems associated with vehicles at the end of their operating life.
Band described ethanol as an important fuel option for the future and urged motorists not to be influenced by misinformation about the fuel.
The programme was attended by representatives of farmer organisations and agricultural groups, including Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Vidarbha organising minister Sanjay Kulkarni, Rayat Shetkari Sanghatana chief Achyut Gangane, Lok Sangharsh Sanghatana chief Dilip Deshmukh and farmer leaders Prakash Bongire and Divakar Deshmukh.
The event was chaired by Jugal Kishor Gattani, vice-president of the Ganeshdas Rathi Chhatralaya Committee. College principal Vijaykumar Bhangadiya delivered the introductory remarks.
