New Delhi, Aug. 4: A delegation of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC) met Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, expressing strong support for ethanol production while urging the government to ensure the policy remains farmer-centric and guarantees fair, remunerative prices for agricultural produce.
The minister assured the delegation that the Centre is committed to ensuring the benefits of the ethanol programme reach the entire value chain—from farms to fuel tanks—with farmers receiving the largest share of the gains. He also highlighted that expanding ethanol production would strengthen both India’s energy security and farmers’ incomes.
The delegation included farmer representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and several other states.
During the discussions, key issues such as ethanol, farmers’ income, Minimum Support Price (MSP), agricultural markets, and the National Agriculture Policy were addressed. Farmer leaders reiterated that they fully support ethanol production but stressed that its benefits should flow directly to farmers rather than being concentrated among companies or intermediaries.
They noted that ethanol production from crops such as sugarcane, maize, and rice would create new market opportunities beyond traditional mandis, allowing farm produce to reach the energy sector and increasing demand for agricultural commodities. They also pointed out that this would help reduce crop wastage and storage challenges by creating additional buyers.
While backing the ethanol initiative, the delegation emphasised the need for remunerative prices for all feedstock crops, including maize and sugarcane, and called for an ethanol policy that strengthens farming rather than creating new uncertainties for growers.
Farmer leaders also raised concerns about misinformation circulating on social media regarding ethanol’s impact on vehicles and farmers’ interests.
Responding to these concerns, Minister Chouhan said the government would continue reviewing the policy to maintain a balance between crop demand and pricing for maize, rice, sugarcane, and other feedstocks. He added that decisions would be guided by farmers’ interests, particularly those of maize growers, and that scientific studies and technical evidence would be used to counter misinformation surrounding ethanol.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to working closely with the farming community, Chouhan said the doors of Krishi Bhavan remain open to farmers, describing them as partners in shaping agricultural policy rather than opponents.