In a move aimed at diversifying the feedstock base for ethanol production, the Government is conducting a study to assess the feasibility of using sweet sorghum as an alternate raw material, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution informed the Lok Sabha.
Replying to an unstarred question, Minister of State Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya said that government is conducting study for feasibility of sweet sorghum as an alternate feedstock for production of ethanol to diversify the feedstock base for ethanol production.
The Minister reiterated that food security remains the GovernmentтАЩs highest priority and that diversion of foodgrains for ethanol production is permitted only after ensuring adequate buffer stocks and meeting the requirements of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other welfare schemes. Surplus stocks from the central pool are allocated for ethanol production only when available in excess, she added.
Maize has emerged as the largest feedstock for ethanol production in recent years. However, the Government clarified that maize availability in the country is sufficient to meet the requirements of ethanol production, poultry feed and other uses. As per final estimates, maize production during 2024-25 stood at about 434 lakh metric tonnes, comfortably supporting ethanol demand.
During Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25, around 125.75 lakh metric tonnes of maize were utilised for ethanol production, while a similar quantity of 125.78 lakh metric tonnes is expected to be used during ESY 2025-26. The Government noted that the poultry feed industry is also adopting alternative domestic ingredients such as rice bran, broken rice, bajra and wheat offal to maintain feed availability.
The ongoing study on sweet sorghum is expected to help expand the range of ethanol feedstocks, support farmers in semi-arid regions, and further stabilise raw material supply for IndiaтАЩs ethanol blending targets.
