Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Rajasthan Governor Says Ethanol Can Shield India From Oil Risks
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade said India should use more ethanol as fuel.
Ethanol can be mixed with petrol for vehicles.
He said this could reduce India’s exposure to changing oil prices and international risks.
Ethanol can come from sugarcane, maize and farm waste.
Sugar factories can earn money from ethanol and other products instead of relying only on sugar.
Babasaheb Patil said this could help farmers and rural communities.
The speakers also said cleaner fuels could help reduce pollution.
Pasha Patel said India began blending ethanol into petrol under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and that some people spread incorrect information about it.
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade said ethanol can protect India from volatile global petroleum markets and geopolitical risks.
Bagade said ethanol can be produced from sugarcane, maize and agricultural waste, supporting multiple industries.
He credited government support and subsidies with expanding ethanol plants across Maharashtra and India.
Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil said ethanol can strengthen rural economies and help ensure timely payments to sugarcane farmers.
Speakers linked ethanol and alternative energy to lower carbon emissions, while Pasha Patel said misinformation surrounds ethanol policy.
- Who
- Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil and Pasha Patel addressed the issue.
- What
- They promoted ethanol production, blending and use as a way to support farmers, reduce pollution and limit exposure to global petroleum-market risks.
- When
- The conferences were addressed on Monday, September 28.
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The speakers said ethanol could strengthen rural economies, support sugar factories, reduce carbon emissions and protect India from volatile international oil markets.
- Main advocate
- Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade
- Ethanol sources
- Sugarcane juice, molasses, maize and agricultural waste
- Fuel blending history
- A pilot ethanol-blending programme was inaugurated at Manmad during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
- Industrial uses
- Ethanol is used as vehicle fuel, an industrial chemical and an ingredient in medicines, beverages and hand sanitisers.
- Sugar-mill role
- Ethanol units and cogeneration plants provide sugar factories with value-added products beyond sugar.
- Environmental rationale
- Speakers said ethanol and alternative energy could help address carbon emissions and pollution.
- Conferences
- The remarks were made during four conferences in Mumbai, including the Bharat Ethanol Forum and Maize Markets Summit & Expo.