New Delhi, January 30 (HS): Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the sugar industry has the potential to increase its share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to three percent. At present, the sugar industry's share in GDP is 1.0 to 1.15 percent. He also pointed out the need to increase the production of sugarcane per acre.

The Union Minister said this while addressing the fourth edition of the Sugar-Ethanol and Bioenergy India Conference (SEIC) 2025 organized by the Sugar Mandi in New Delhi. He said that the Indian sugar industry has the potential to contribute three percent to the country's GDP. Nitin Gadkari, in his address, highlighted the convergence of sugar, ethanol and bioenergy. He also emphasized their role in energy security and sustainability through policy advancement, technological innovations and emerging market dynamics shaping the biofuel economy.

He said that with India's commitment to biofuels and circular economy principles, the sugar industry is at the forefront of pursuing a greener future, reducing carbon footprint and boosting rural economic development. Gadkari said the government has done a lot to encourage the production of alternative fuels in the country. He said the government is now taking steps to promote the export of ethanol.

The Union Cabinet a day earlier gave its approval to increase the price (ex-mill) of ethanol obtained from C category molasses by Rs 1.69 to Rs 57.97 per liter for the sugar marketing year 2024-25, while keeping the rates for other raw materials unchanged. This price hike is aimed at promoting ethanol production from the by-products of the sugar industry at a time when the country is striving to achieve its target of blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol by the financial year 2025-26.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar