Archive · 26 Dec 2025
Bioethanol Plants Transforming Nellore's Upland Farming
In Nellore District, India, there's a big change happening in farming.
New factories are being built to make bioethanol, which is a special fuel made from plants like maize and broken rice.
The government wants to mix this bioethanol with regular fuel to use less imported oil.
This is great news for farmers, especially those in hilly areas, because they can now grow maize instead of the usual rice.
The factories will buy the maize from the farmers, giving them a steady income.
This change is expected to create new jobs and help the local economy.
Farmers are also being encouraged to form groups to get more support and benefits.
Bioethanol production units in Nellore District are shifting cropping patterns from paddy to maize in upland areas.
Four bioethanol plants are either operational or under development, with two upcoming plants expected to produce 300-400 KLD of ethanol daily.
The government's energy policy mandates 20% bioethanol blending in diesel, with potential future use in aviation fuel.
Bioethanol companies are offering financial support and buy-back agreements to farmers for maize cultivation.
The shift to maize is expected to create around 800 direct and indirect jobs and require 7.20 lakh metric tonnes of maize annually.
- Who
- Farmers in Nellore District, Bioethanol companies (Viswa Samudra, Kribhco, Ramshy Bio, Gayathri Renewable Fuels), IFFCO, District Collector Himanshu Shukla
- What
- Expansion of bioethanol production leading to a shift from paddy to maize cultivation in upland areas
- When
- Currently ongoing (specific timeline not mentioned)
- Where
- Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Why
- Government's energy policy promoting 20% bioethanol blending in diesel and potential blending in aviation fuel, offering farmers a viable alternative crop with assured markets and financial support
- Location
- Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh
- Bioethanol Plants
- 4 (1 operational, 3 under development)
- Maize Production Needed
- 7.20 lakh metric tonnes
- Jobs Created
- 800 (direct and indirect)
- Investment in Ramshy Bio
- Rs 356 crore
- Investment in Gayathri Renewable Fuels
- Rs 260 crore