Farmers Push for a Farmer-Centric Ethanol Policy

New Delhi, August 04, 2026 Ethanol is emerging as a significant opportunity for Indian agriculture, but farmer organisations have made it clear that its expansion must deliver tangible benefits to cultivators. On Tuesday, a delegation of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC) met Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi. Farmers from across the country discussed ethanol, farmers’ income, MSP, markets and the National Agriculture Policy, stressing that the benefits of the growing ethanol economy should reach farmers directly. Representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu said they support ethanol but want a policy that places farmers at its centre. They highlighted the potential of sugarcane, maize, rice and other feedstocks to create additional markets for agricultural produce beyond traditional mandis. According to the farmer leaders, this could provide more buyers, reduce crop wastage and ease storage-related challenges. However, they emphasised that fair prices for maize, sugarcane and other relevant crops must be ensured so that farmers receive a meaningful share of the benefits. The delegation also raised concerns over misinformation about ethanol circulating on social media and other platforms. The leaders called for a joint, fact-based awareness campaign by the Agriculture Ministry and farmer organisations to explain the crops that can benefit from ethanol production and how farmers can gradually move from water-intensive crops towards drought-resilient alternatives. They also suggested using reels, short videos and grassroots meetings to reach young people. Chouhan listened to the concerns and said the government would take farmers’ interests seriously. He said the government aims to ensure that the benefits of the ethanol programme extend from the farm to the fuel tank, while keeping farmers’ interests as the top priority. Chouhan further said ethanol could strengthen India’s energy security while contributing to higher farm incomes. He said policy would be reviewed to maintain a balance between the prices and demand for maize, rice, sugarcane and other feedstocks, with particular attention to maize farmers. He also stressed the importance of responding to negative narratives through scientific studies and technical reports and continuing fact-based dialogue with farmers. The AIKCC representatives said they would take information about ethanol and its potential benefits to farmers across villages and work with the government to strengthen farmer-focused policymaking. The meeting ultimately highlighted a shared objective: building an ethanol framework that supports farmers while advancing India’s energy security and agricultural economy.