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AIKCC calls for fair crop pricing to maximise ethanol benefits
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Friday, 07 August, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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A delegation of the All-India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC) met Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to discuss the role of ethanol in strengthening the agricultural sector. The delegation emphasised that while ethanol presents a significant opportunity for Indian farmers, its policy framework must remain farmer-centric and ensure that the benefits of the programme directly reach cultivators through fair crop pricing.
The meeting, held at Krishi Bhavan, was attended by farmer leaders representing Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and several other states. Discussions focused on ethanol, farmers' income, minimum support price (MSP), agricultural markets and the proposed National Agriculture Policy.
The AIKCC delegation reiterated its support for the government's ethanol blending programme, stating that ethanol production from crops such as sugarcane, maize and rice could create a new and sustainable market for agricultural produce beyond conventional mandis. According to the farmer representatives, the expansion of ethanol production has the potential to increase demand for crops, provide farmers with more buyers and reduce post-harvest losses caused by storage constraints.
However, the delegation stressed that the success of the ethanol programme would depend on ensuring remunerative prices for feedstock crops. The farmers urged the government to design an ethanol policy that enhances farm incomes rather than creating additional challenges for cultivators.
The delegation also raised concerns over misinformation surrounding ethanol on social media and other platforms. Farmer leaders called for coordinated awareness campaigns by the Agriculture Ministry and farmer organisations to provide factual information about the benefits of ethanol, its impact on agriculture and its role in encouraging crop diversification towards less water-intensive crops. They suggested using digital platforms, including short videos and grassroots outreach programmes, to educate farmers and young audiences.
Responding to the concerns, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured the delegation that the Central Government would seriously consider farmers' views while shaping ethanol-related policies. He stated that the government's objective is to ensure that the benefits of the ethanol value chain—from the farm to the fuel tank—reach farmers in the most meaningful way.
Chouhan said ethanol has the potential to strengthen India's energy security while creating new income opportunities for farmers. He added that the government would work to maintain a balance between crop prices and demand for maize, sugarcane, rice and other feedstocks, ensuring that no crop or state is disadvantaged. The Minister also said that scientific studies and technical evidence would be used to counter misinformation surrounding ethanol and promote fact-based discussions with stakeholders.
During the meeting, Chouhan described farmers as the government's partners in policymaking and assured the delegation that the doors of Krishi Bhavan would always remain open for them. He reiterated that farmers' interests would remain central to policy decisions and that suggestions received from the farming community would be incorporated while reviewing the ethanol framework.
At the conclusion of the meeting, AIKCC representatives said they would take the government's message to villages across the country and work with authorities to promote awareness about ethanol based on facts and practical experience. They expressed confidence that continued dialogue between farmer organisations and the government would help build policies that benefit farmers while supporting India's energy security goals.
The AIKCC delegation was led by National President and former MP Bhupinder Singh Mann and included National Vice-President Binod Anand, National Vice-President Gurusahib Singh Mann, National General Secretary Gunwat Patil, Ajay Anmol, Lalit Bahale Patil, Balraj Singh Sandhu, Surjit Singh Mani Gurjar, Jugnu Rana, Manphool Singh, V. Manikkam, Sugunakar Rao, Balwant Singh Nadiyali, Dinesh Sharma, Balveer Singh and Shivaraj Singh.
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