Sugarcane By-Products in Focus
The depletion of fossil fuels is quite essential for the environment and sugarcane by-products are the best alternative option for it, said the Prime Minister of India. In a recent interaction with a media outlet on Thursday, April 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about environmental issues and how other options are playing a vital role in reducing the dependency on non-renewable sources. As per PM Modi, India knows the impact of fossil fuels on the environment, and keeping this thing in mind, the nation is rapidly depleting its dependence on fossil fuels. He said the nation’s mission of increasing the use and supply of sugarcane by-products is the best alternative.
He said the use of sugarcane-based products is quite helpful for the environment as well as for the reduction and dependency of fossil fuels. He also talked about the sugarcane by-products used during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh worked as the alternative option for non-renewable resources. He said that the spoons, cups, bowls, and plates that were used in the ceremony were made of sugarcane bagasse.
PM Modi added, “The cups, plates, bowls, and spoons that were used during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya were made from sugarcane bagasse. With us using such things in our day-to-day lives, the utility of sugarcane by-products has also increased.” He acknowledged the current dependence of India on imported potash but highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce this need through other options such as sugarcane bagasse. He said, “At present, we are dependent on imports to meet our potash needs. However, efforts are being made to reduce that dependence with the help of sugarcane bagasse.”
He included, “The use of press-mud, one of the by-products of sugarcane, is also gradually increasing. One, it is being used as a fertilizer. Secondly, press-mud also plays a crucial role in the production of CBG, or compressed biogas.” He said that with us using such things in our daily routine, the consumption of sugarcane by-products also surged. Apart from sugarcane by-products, PM Modi talked about the use of ethanol ( a renewable fuel) made from numerous plant materials collectively known as “biomass”.
He said that the use of ethanol blending is strengthening the efforts of the government for sustainable development. According to PM Modi, “We achieved the target of blending up to 10% ethanol in petrol five months back. At present, that has reached around 12%, and we are well on our way towards achieving the goal of ethanol blending up to 20%.”
To fulfil the commitment of the surge of biofuels and the environment, PM Modi said the central government has given more than Rs 1 Trillion over the 10 years. The motive behind giving the hefty amount to sugarcane farmers is to increase the push for ethanol blending in petrol. He said, “If I had announced Rs 1 trillion to farmers in advance through any government scheme, it would have made headlines in the media and even caught your attention. But my focus is on a more permanent solution to the issues sugarcane farmers face than making headlines.”
Apart from giving money to sugarcane farmers, the central government also put their money into ethanol distilleries. As per PM Modi, the government has invested Rs 40,000 crore to create employment opportunities.