Centre Plans to Diversify Agriculture to Achieve Fuel Energy Security: Gadkari

Agriculture is India's true strength, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday, adding that the government aims to diversify it into the energy and power sectors.

"India's fuel energy security can be well supported by agriculture because it provides opportunities for concepts such as waste to wealth and waste to energy, ultimately benefiting all," Gadkari said while virtually addressing the Bio-Energy Summit 2021 'Farm-2-Fuel: Sustainable Bioenergy Solutions for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.'

These targets, according to the Minister, will be met through a five-phase approach that involves the adoption of biofuels and renewables, the implementation of energy efficiency standards, the improvement of refinery operations, the increase of domestic production, and demand substitution.

 Gadkari said “biofuels play a crucial position in India's energy basket”.

The Minister stated that the government's announcements on advancing the target year for 20% ethanol blending by five years to 2025, 5% biodiesel blending in diesel by 2030, directing oil companies to sell 20% ethanol-blended gasoline beginning from April 1, 2023, and BIS specifications for higher ethanol blends - E12 and E15 - demonstrate the importance that the government places on biofuels and alternative source of energy.

Both Brazil and India, according to Gadkari, are making progress on the sustainable energy roadmap. He further told, "We can certainly build a self-sufficient energy ecosystem in our countries by transferring technologies and sharing our experiences. India is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, with a focus on sustainable and climate neutral growth. Everyone should be able to live in a livable, functional, and sustainable society, with a strong emphasis on ethics, ecology, and the environment."

India is committed to meeting the Paris Climate Agreement, with efforts focusing on reducing carbon emissions by 33 to 35% by 2030, he added.

He stated that the required efforts are being made to decarbonize the transportation sector by lowering harmful Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. He stated that the government is dedicated to adopting import-substitute, cost-effective, indigenous, and pollution-free means of transportation.

"India is dedicated to an eminently feasible clean energy-based economy, through an annual road map for production, supply of ethanol through 2025-26, and systems for its countrywide marketing," he said.