Once ethanol production exceeds local consumption levels, India will sell it in the global market through exports: Amit Shah
Amit Shah highlighted farmers’ dual role as food and energy providers through ethanol production. He announced the reopening of three Gujarat sugar mills by IPL, benefiting 10,000 people. Rs 600 crore will be invested in biofuel distilleries. Shah urged farmers to adopt drip irrigation for water conservation, emphasizing Gujarat’s success in sustainable agriculture.
Union Minister Amit Shah stated in Gujarat on Saturday that while farmers are traditionally known as “annadaata” or food providers, with the addition of ethanol production in sugar mills, they will also become “urjadaata” or energy providers. Shah made these comments during a public event in Kodinar, located in Gir-Somnath district.
As the Union Minister for Cooperatives, Shah highlighted, “The Cooperatives Ministry has taken several initiatives across various sectors, opening doors to development for more than 60 crore farming families. Under one such initiative, Indian Potash Limited (IPL) whose 60 per cent ownership is by cooperative societies, will reopen the three sugar mills.”
Shah made the statement while attending the groundbreaking ceremony of two out of three sugar mills that had been closed for nearly a decade: Shri Talala Taluka Sahakari Khaan Udhyog Mandali Limited in Talala, Shri Bileshwar Khaand Udhyog Khedut Sahakari Mandali Limited in Kodinar, and Shri Valsad Sahakari Khaand Udhyog Mandali Limited in Valsad.
Speaking about the potential of biofuels, Shah noted, “Public sector sugar mills that produce ethanol are not only ensuring food security but also reducing our petroleum import bill. This is positioning our farmers as global biofuel producers. Because the moment ethanol production goes beyond local consumption levels, we will be selling it in the global market through exports.”
Shah also commented on the positive impact of these mills on the local community, saying, “Today, IPL has made an important start, bringing light to the lives of 10,000 people. I am confident that when these mills reach full capacity, the prosperity of the farmers in Kodinar and Talala will also increase.”
Regarding the reopening and modernization of these mills, Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Chairman of IPL, explained, “IPL was tasked with assessing the feasibility and reopening these three sugar mills. The mills in Kodinar and Talala have been closed for the past eight years. Bank loans of Rs 350 crore and government dues were paid off. We will now reopen and modernise them. We aim to restart operations at both plants by November 1, 2025, and over the next two years, we will invest an additional Rs 600 crore to install green power plants and two new distilleries to produce biofuel.”
Shah urged farmers to focus on water conservation. “Gujarat has led the way in water conservation, building 1.5 lakh check dams. I urge sugarcane farmers to collaborate with IPL and district cooperative banks to adopt drip irrigation. Cooperative leaders should also be aware that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled his promise. Now, it is up to all of us to adopt drip irrigation and conserve water,” he said.
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Source : Chinimandi
