Nitin Gadkari Stresses Region-specific Tech Solutions For Boosting Green Energy Generation

Understanding how farmers can generate revenue from crops and their prices is crucial for agricultural viability and national growth, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, at the International Summit and Expo on the Bioenergy Value Chain. He shared an example from the ethanol production debate: When ethanol was first made from corn, there was concern about food competing with fuel. At that time, the price of corn was Rs 1200 per quintal. Today, due to its use in ethanol production, the price has risen to Rs 2600 per quintal, greatly benefiting farmers.

He added that farmers are now receiving better prices, which is why three times more crops are now being converted into corn. The need of the hour is to determine how farmers can generate revenue from crop prices. Without economic viability in agriculture, we cannot achieve growth in the country. Therefore, it is crucial to diversify towards the energy and power sectors.

Addressing the issue of solid and liquid waste, he said: States such as Punjab and Haryana generate 220 lakh tonnes of rice stubble; however, the burning of rice crops causes air pollution on a large scale. Yet he pointed out this brighter outlook-that biomass is turned into bio-CNG through various technologies. He expressed his appreciation for the work of Indian Oil in Manipur, where 2 lakh tonnes of rice stubble is processed monthly: This facility achieves the landmark in the country's history by producing 1 lakh litres of ethanol and 150 tonnes of bio-bitumen per day and 88,000 tonnes of sustainable bio-aviation fuel per annum.

He also highlighted that India imports 50 lakh tonnes of Bitumen annually, out of the 95 lakh-tonne requirement. His ministry alone uses about 30 to 35 lakh tonnes of Bitumen. The production of bio-bitumen from rice stubble could reduce this reliance on imports.

Two key philosophies were shared: one is converting knowledge into health through innovation, entrepreneurship, science, technology, research, skill, and successful practices; the other is converting waste into health. He emphasized that no material is waste, and no person is waste. With the right technology and vision, even waste can be transformed into valuable resources. Today, there are 400-500 plants producing bio-CNG from various crops, including rice and wheat.

He also explained how lignin, a by-product of bio-CNG production, is now being incorporated into Bitumen. A recent project by his department and the Petroleum Ministry successfully added 35% lignin into bio-bitumen, along with 15% rubber powder and 7% plastic. This mixture has proven to be 50% more effective than petroleum-based Bitumen, and a kilometre of road has already been constructed using this innovation.

On the topic of green fuel, he used the automobile sector as an example, noting that India's automobile industry is constantly growing and is now the third-largest vehicle market in the world. It contributes the highest GST to the central and state governments, has created 4.5 crore jobs, and drives exports. "It's a Rs 22-lakh-crore economic import bill with fossil fuel imports".

He stated that the severe pollution in Delhi underlines how serious the issue is, adding that the road ministry alone pollutes this place by 40%. "Economic and environmental problems are serious," he went on to say, "So, we need policies that promote import substitutes which are cost-effective, pollution-free, and indigenous." Finally, he gave his views to lessen imports and increase export in the country so that India can be promoted as the third-biggest economy as planned by the Prime Minister.

He noted that there is a need to liberate India's environmental and economic potentials, stating that agriculture contributes only 14% to GDP; manufacturing, 22%; and services, 52-54%. He further stated that about 60% of the population still depends on agriculture. He cited the economic diseconomies in rural, tribal, and forest areas and repeated that agriculture is presently not economically viable. "So, it is now time to start diversifying agriculture towards energy and power," he said. 

Highlighting the role of organic carbon in agriculture, he stressed the need to increase biomass productivity and improve conversion into biofuels. "We need more research to identify high-yield biomass. Countries like Brazil are already using ethanol as aviation fuel-something India has also started."

He said sustainable aviation fuel offers a huge future market. "We are currently energy importers, but it is possible for India to become an energy exporter. That is our mission and our dream."

Citing NTPC's choice to buy bamboo as wild coal, he emphasised bamboo as a possible coal substitute. "This shift opens up significant potential," he stated. Finding suitable, effective technologies and carrying out need-, region-, and community-based research are crucial, Gadkari emphasised. "While rice straw is accessible in Punjab and Haryana, bamboo is more common in places like Northeast India. Bagasse may be utilised in Uttar Pradesh," he said, stressing that technology should be adapted to the unique raw materials that are accessible in each area.

He emphasised the significance of preserving the ecosystem and ecology for sustainable development in his closing remarks. "The three pillars of society are the environment, ecology, economy, and ethics. "The environment and ecology are equally important," Gadkari said. "We lower pollution by reducing the demand for fossil fuels by establishing a market for biofuels. The secret to sustainable development is green fuel.