Ethanol Sector's Growth An Example For World, Says Piyush Goyal

The growth of the ethanol sector has been tremendous which has set a sort of example for the world, said Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday in New Delhi.

While addressing the one-day seminar on ‘National Seminar on Maize to Ethanol’, he said that in the last 9 years, the sugar sector has been self-sufficient with more than 99.9 per cent payment to farmers for the previous season. 

Now, ethanol will support maize farmers in increasing their income and bringing growth with stability on the lines of sugarcane farmers, the minister stated. 

Goyal added, "Investments of thousands of crores have come creating thousands of jobs in the rural sector which has generated a multiplier effect on the Indian economy."

He highlighted that environment-friendly fuel like ethanol has been on the top priority list of PM Modi which has resulted in more than doubling ethanol blending in just 2 years and the target of 20 per cent ethanol blending has also been preponed from 2030 to 2025.

He stressed on the need for synchronous efforts of the central government, states, research institutes, OMCs and distilleries to achieve the target of 20 per cent ethanol blending while keeping the interests of the farmers always on top priority.