A new ethanol factory by Prabhriti Ethanol Private Limited was inaugurated in Negaluru village, Haveri district. Former Chief Minister and current Member of Parliament, Basavaraj Bommai, who inaugurated the unit, said the factory is a “boon to farmers” and an important step in India’s move toward eco-friendly fuel.
Calling the factory a boon for farmers, Bommai said the district has gained a significant advantage, much like the benefits once brought to farmers by sugar factories on the banks of the Krishna River. “Nearly 90% of farmers in Hirekerur, Byadagi, Ranebennur, and Haveri taluks grow maize. With factories like this, their hard work can be turned into real wealth,” he said.
Few ethanol factories have already been set up in Haveri, and Bommai predicted that the district would soon witness economic growth driven by technology and government policies.
He noted that Brazil had adopted ethanol technology long ago and built an economy around sugarcane-based industries, while Karnataka was quick to embrace the idea in India. Former minister Murugesh Nirani is an expert in this field and has already begun production on a large scale.
The new plant in Haveri has been set up by eight young entrepreneurs and will use maize and rice along with sugarcane to produce ethanol. “This ensures that local farmers, especially maize growers, will get a fair price,” he said.
Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister, Bommai said he and then Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil had envisioned setting up 100 agriculture-based industries between Haveri and Raichur to bring 7 lakh hectares under irrigation. “Haveri has now taken the first step, and such industries will create jobs for the youth while boosting exports of farm produce,” he added.
On India’s biofuel policy, Bommai credited Prime Minister Modi for expanding ethanol blending in petrol, from 5% initially to 20%.
“India will not only be self-reliant in bioenergy but also emerge as an exporter of green energy. Haveri should be at the forefront of this achievement,” Bommai said.
The inauguration event was attended by factory owners, former MLA Veerupakshappa Ballari, former Minister B.C. Patil, former MLAs Shivaraj Sajjan, Vadnal Rajanna, V.S. Patil, and several industrialists including B.C. Umapathi and Santosh Patil.
[…] Source : Chinimandi […]