Farmers becoming ‘urjadata’: Gadkari highlights role in energy security through biofuels

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said it is a great achievement that presently the country’s farmers, considered as food providers (annadatas), are also becoming ‘Urjadata,’ (providers of energy), and contributing towards the nation’s energy security through bio-fuels.

On the occasion of the fifth international climate summit organised by the PHD Chamber’s Environment & Climate Change Committee, chaired by Dr Jeewan Prakash Gupta, in his inaugural address the minister said that the idea is to use best technologies in the agriculture sector to produce alternative fuels, adding that biofuel is very important for the country’s economy, and is the way forward.

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He said that making bio-fuels is a very important target for the nation to protect the environment and ecological aspect, while it is also aimed at reducing the burden of importing fossil fuels.

The minister said that to increase the contribution of the agriculture sector in the economy, creating employment and jobs, the government has decided to diversify agriculture towards the energy and power sector, so that the farmers can benefit.

Gadkari mentioned that with the revolution in the corn sector, now the prices of the crop have increased, going up to Rs 2800 per quintal.

According to Gadkari, the corn crop gets ready in 110 days, and the farmers can grow multiple crops in a year. The farmers can also gain a lot of financial benefit with the corn crop, with increased profits, as the corn can be utilized for making products like bio-fuels, hydrogen and poultry feed and others.

The minister mentioned that the high import of fossil fuels is also a challenge for the economy, and with the coming of alternative fuels like ethanol and hydrogen, it can help reduce the burden.

He lauded the efforts of PHDCCI environment committee chair Dr JP Gupta for his efforts and contribution on the subject of ecology and environment.

Speaking at the event, Dr Gupta elaborated that the summit is on the corn revolution, with emphasis on energy security and alternative fuels.

Brainchild of Dr. Gupta, who is a distinguished scientist and international expert on sustainability—particularly in green hydrogen and bio-ethanol, the international summit is expected to be a game changer—promoting corn for both human consumption and for industrial use and producing ethanol.

He has said that India can emerge as an export hub for ethanol and bio-chemicals polymers through liberalized policies. Empowering Indian farmers with financial incentives and technological support is vital to foster a thriving environment for the revolution, he added.

He also mentioned that Ethanol is a proven alternative to LPG, and it is a clean-burning cooking fuel that reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and other pollutants.

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