Ethanol Production in India, Sources and Role of Maize

Explore ethanol production in India, its role in biofuel policy, contribution to energy security, economic benefits, and impact on sustainable development and agriculture

Table of Contents

Context: India is set to achieve 20% ethanol blending with petrol within the next two months—a year ahead of schedule. This requires the production of 1,100 crore litres of fuel ethanol annually.

Sources of Ethanol Production

The required 1,100 crore litres of fuel ethanol will come from multiple sources:

Sugar and High-Grade Molasses – 400 crore litres
Food Corporation of India (FCI) Rice – 110 crore litres
Broken Rice – Small contribution
Maize – 350-400 crore litres

Role of Maize in Ethanol Production

India was producing little ethanol from maize before 2020. Now, maize is expected to contribute nearly 400 crore litres.
Grain-based distilleries and dual-feed sugar distilleries (which can use maize in the off-season) are being developed.

Growth in Maize Production

Since 2020-21, maize production has increased by 6 million tonnes.
In 2024-25 maize production is estimated at 42 million tonnes., Out of this 9 million tonnes will be used for ethanol

About Maize

Growing Conditions:
- It is primarily a rainfed Kharif crop grown in regions with semi-arid conditions (25 – 75 cm rainfall).
- It cannot be cultivated in areas with more than 100 cm of rainfall.
- It grows best in well-drained, fertile soil.
- Maize requires consistent moisture throughout its growing season but it is highly sensitive to water logging.
In India, maize is grown in both the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons.
- Kharif maize – 83% of the maize area, while rabi maize- 17% maize area.
Top Maize Producing Countries: USA, China & Brazil (India -6th).
Top Maize-producing states in India: Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan & UP.