Key Points from ISMA Conference
11-Sep-2025 04:41 PM
Key Points from ISMA Conference
2. Mr. Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution of India
★ On stage, Mr. Pralhad Joshi said that India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer and the largest consumer.
★ The government achieved the 20% ethanol blending target ahead of schedule, which ensured timely cane payments to farmers.
★ During the BJP’s tenure, sugarcane production increased by 40% and sugar production by 52%, while the FRP of cane was continuously raised.
★ So far, 96% of cane payments have been completed.
★ Ethanol blending has reduced crude oil consumption by 24.5 million tonnes, and ISMA has now become an energy provider, not just a food provider.
★ Ethanol is now being produced from both maize and rice.
★ Earlier, 10% broken rice was used for ethanol production, but now 15% broken rice will be utilized.
★ In 2024-25, 5.2 million tonnes of rice per year has been allocated for ethanol production.
★ The government has also provided financial assistance to cooperative mills for producing ethanol from both sugar and grain.