The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has welcomed several key provisions in the Union Budget 2026–27 that strengthen India’s clean energy transition, technology-led agriculture and rural value chains, with positive implications for the sugar, ethanol and bio-energy sector.
ISMA’s Director General, Deepak Ballani, said that the Budget strongly reinforces India’s push towards self-reliance by prioritising domestically anchored clean energy pathways such as biofuels, alongside AI-driven and technology-led agricultural transformation. “By strengthening rural value chains, promoting waste-to-energy solutions, advancing low-carbon industrial growth, and enabling data- and AI-backed farm advisory systems, the Budget strengthens the economic and environmental case for ethanol, CBG and the broader bio-energy ecosystem,” he said.
For the sugar and bio-energy sector, Ballani said that this self-reliance vision must now be supported by a clearly defined long-term ethanol blending roadmap beyond E20 to unlock the next phase of investments, while enhancing farmer incomes and boosting rural prosperity.
“Taken together, these measures can transform sugar complexes into integrated Bio-Energy Hubs—reducing fossil fuel imports, strengthening domestic energy security, and positioning biofuels as a cornerstone of India’s Atmanirbhar clean-energy transition aligned with national climate goals and long-term economic resilience,” he stated.
At the same time, the Budget adopts a technology-driven and market-linked approach to strengthening farmers’ incomes and the rural economy. The DG said that the initiatives, such as Bharat-VISTAAR will provide AI-based advisories and market insights to boost productivity, diversify incomes and create rural jobs, while investments in storage, cold chains, digital platforms, SHE-Marts for women-led enterprises, skill development, e-market integration and sustainable farming practices together support resilient rural livelihoods and inclusive growth across the agrarian economy.
