Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Highlights Sugar and Biofuel Innovations at Global Meeting in New Delhi

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, spoke about the importance of international collaboration and advanced technologies for the sugar industry at the ‘Sugar and Biofuels – Emerging Vistas’ workshop held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

India is hosting the ‘ISO Council Meeting’ from June 25th to 27th, with delegates from over 30 countries discussing critical issues in the sugar and biofuel sectors. Joshi expressed pride in hosting the 64th Council Meeting of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) in India, hoping it would be a milestone for the sugar sector.

Joshi highlighted the role of sugarcane in the biofuel industry, noting India’s achievement of almost 10% ethanol blending, which boosts renewable energy. He emphasized that biofuels are creating new opportunities for farmers and driving India towards self-reliance and sustainability.

Secretary of Food and Public Distribution, Sanjeev Kapoor, expressed optimism about surpassing expected sugar production figures for 2024-25. He noted significant progress in ethanol blending, which increased from 1.4% in 2013-14 to over 15% recently, with a goal of 20% blending by 2025-26. Kapoor reassured that India would meet its domestic sugar consumption needs and support ethanol production.

India, the world’s largest consumer and second-largest producer of sugar, has been nominated as the Chair of the ISO for 2024. As part of the meeting agenda, international delegates visited a grain-based distillery in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, to observe India’s advanced technology in biofuel production.