Farmers Pitch Bigger Ethanol Push to Boost Crop Prices, Rural Economy

Farmer leaders have urged the Centre to further expand ethanol production, saying it can create new markets for crops such as sugarcane and maize while boosting rural incomes. Speaking after meeting Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, they said ethanol and crop processing can help prevent price crashes, improve returns for farmers and promote the use of agricultural waste like stubble for energy generation. They also highlighted ethanol blending as a way to reduce India's dependence on imported fuel while strengthening the rural economy. The delegation called for higher ethanol blending targets and wider adoption of modern agricultural technologies.