The road transport and highways minister said that the contribution of agriculture and allied sectors to India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is only 12 per cent compared to the high contribution of the manufacturing and services sector, while 65 per cent of the population is dependent. on agriculture.
He said the ethanol industry is a boon for farmers. The demand for ethanol in the country will increase, which will change the agricultural economy of India. “Our farmers will become not only food providers but also energy providers,” he said.
Gadkari expressed confidence that the share of agriculture in GDP will also increase with the demand for ethanol. “I am very happy that the day the ethanol economy reaches Rs 2 lakh crore, the agricultural growth rate from 12 per cent will increase to 20 per cent,” he said.
The minister said that successful trials of alternative fuels have been done in generator sets, vehicles, aircraft etc. Gadkari said that neighboring country Bangladesh has requested to supply ethanol blended petrol to India.
Gadkari said, “It is a boon for farmers. I would like to thank the management of Toyota Kirloskar for developing such technology which will help reduce pollution in the country and create employment opportunities in agriculture sector. I request to make more models on flex engine. I want a motorcycle, e-rickshaw, auto rickshaw, car 100 percent ethanol.”
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, “Currently, E-20 fuel is being distributed at over 3,300 petrol pumps across the country and will be available across India by April, 2025. With the implementation of E-20 by April, 2025, the estimated import cost savings will be around Rs. 35,000 crores can be done.
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