New Delhi, August 4, 2026: Farmer leaders from across the country expressed strong support for the promotion of ethanol as a means to enhance farmers' income and strengthen India's energy security during a meeting with Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi.

The delegation, representing the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), discussed issues related to ethanol, farmers' income, Minimum Support Price (MSP), agricultural markets and the National Agriculture Policy. During the interaction, the farmer leaders emphasized that ethanol presents a significant opportunity for Indian agriculture, provided the policy remains farmer-centric and ensures that the benefits directly reach farmers.

Welcoming the delegation, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured the representatives that the Central Government would seriously consider farmers' suggestions while framing future ethanol-related policies. He reiterated that farmers remain at the centre of government decision-making and stated that the doors of Krishi Bhavan are always open for farmers.

Farmer leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and several other states participated in the discussion. They noted that ethanol production from crops such as maize, sugarcane, rice and other approved feedstocks could create new market opportunities by expanding demand beyond traditional agricultural markets into the energy sector.

According to the delegation, the growth of the ethanol industry has the potential to provide farmers with more buyers, reduce crop spoilage and improve market stability. However, they stressed that the success of the programme depends on ensuring fair prices for agricultural produce and preventing disproportionate benefits from flowing only to industries or intermediaries.

The farmer representatives also raised concerns about misinformation regarding ethanol circulating on social media and other platforms. They urged the government and farmer organisations to jointly undertake awareness campaigns explaining the scientific and economic benefits of ethanol, the crops suitable for ethanol production and its role in encouraging diversification towards less water-intensive farming systems. They suggested using digital media, short videos and village-level awareness programmes to disseminate accurate information among farmers and rural youth.

During the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the government's objective is to ensure that the benefits of the ethanol programme are shared across the entire value chain, while farmers receive the largest share of the economic gains. He observed that ethanol can contribute both to strengthening farmers' livelihoods and enhancing India's long-term energy security.

The Union Minister assured the delegation that the government would periodically review policies related to maize, rice, sugarcane and other ethanol feedstocks to maintain a balance between market demand and remunerative prices for farmers. He also stated that scientific studies and technical evidence would be used to address misconceptions surrounding ethanol and support fact-based public discussions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, AIKCC representatives reaffirmed their commitment to working with the government to promote awareness about ethanol and support the development of farmer-friendly policies. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that farmer organisations are partners in agricultural policymaking and reiterated the government's commitment to developing an ethanol framework that benefits farmers, strengthens the rural economy and contributes to the country's energy security.

The meeting was attended by senior AIKCC representatives, including Shri Bhupinder Singh Mann, National President of AIKCC and former Member of Parliament, along with farmer leaders representing various farmer organisations from multiple states across India.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India.