India’s sugar sector strengthens as production, ethanol diversification and farmer payments gain momentum

August 27, 2026 2:50 PM

India’s sugar sector strengthens as production, ethanol diversification and farmer payments gain momentum

India’s sugar industry is undergoing a broad-based transformation, combining a growing sugarcane production base with ethanol diversification, stronger sugar mill finances, rising exports and improved payment capacity for farmers. While sugar prices have risen in recent weeks, the government has said the increase is largely driven by short-term supply and market factors rather than an underlying shortage of sugar in the country. India is the world’s second-largest sugarcane producer, with t...

India rejects reports of US ethanol imports for fuel blending, says no policy change under consideration

August 6, 2026 9:32 PM

India rejects reports of US ethanol imports for fuel blending, says no policy change under consideration

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry on Thursday categorically denied media reports claiming that India is importing or plans to import large quantities of ethanol from the United States for its fuel blending programme, describing such claims as "baseless and factually incorrect." The Ministry clarified that ethanol used under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme is sourced entirely from domestic producers in accordance with the country's existing policy framework. It further sta...

Farmers voice strong support for ethanol after meeting Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

August 5, 2026 10:40 AM

Farmers voice strong support for ethanol after meeting Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Farmer leaders from across the country have expressed strong support for the expansion of ethanol production, describing it as a major opportunity to boost farm incomes and strengthen India's energy security, during a meeting with Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Krishi Bhavan on Tuesday. A delegation of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), comprising representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telang...

Fact check: Government rebuts misconceptions on ethanol-blended petrol, cites scientific validation and field data

July 30, 2026 11:47 PM

Fact check: Government rebuts misconceptions on ethanol-blended petrol, cites scientific validation and field data

The Centre has issued a detailed clarification on the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, rebutting what it described as misleading claims circulating in the media and on social media regarding the use of E20 fuel. The government said the programme is backed by extensive scientific validation, real-world operating experience, industry data and consultations with automobile manufacturers and technical institutions. According to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), the rollout...

Government rules out immediate move beyond E20, reaffirms safety and benefits of ethanol-blended petrol

July 24, 2026 4:12 PM

Government rules out immediate move beyond E20, reaffirms safety and benefits of ethanol-blended petrol

The government on Thursday clarified that it has taken no decision to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond 20 per cent, while reaffirming that E20 fuel is scientifically validated, safe for vehicles and has delivered substantial economic, environmental and energy security benefits. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said any future decision on introducing higher ethanol blends would be taken only after detailed scientific and t...

Government debunks misinformation on ethanol-blended petrol, says E20 fuel is safe and scientifically validated

June 24, 2026 2:54 PM

Government debunks misinformation on ethanol-blended petrol, says E20 fuel is safe and scientifically validated

The Centre has dismissed a series of misleading claims circulating on social media regarding ethanol-blended petrol, asserting that the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) is scientifically validated, rigorously tested and continuously monitored to ensure consumer safety and vehicle compatibility. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Tuesday said that certain individuals were spreading unsubstantiated claims and recirculating old images and videos to create unnecessary alarm among the publ...

India emerges as world’s 3rd largest biofuel producer: Hardeep Puri

March 3, 2025 12:42 PM

India emerges as world’s 3rd largest biofuel producer: Hardeep Puri

India has emerged as the world’s third-largest biofuel producer, driving the shift toward cleaner, renewable energy, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said on Monday. In a post on X, Puri highlighted that India has achieved 19.6% ethanol blending in petrol as of January and is on track to reach 20% very soon, five years ahead of its original 2030 target. This rapid progress is expected to reduce fuel imports and cut emissions. “From the quiet town of Digboi to the ...

Cabinet approves revised ethanol procurement prices

January 29, 2025 5:17 PM

Cabinet approves revised ethanol procurement prices

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the revision of ethanol procurement prices for public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25. The period extends from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, under the Government of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. The ex-mill price of ethanol derived from C Heavy Molasses (CHM) has been increased from ₹56.58 to ₹57.97 per litre, markin...