Pralhad Joshi inaugurates 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference

Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for  Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New & Renewable Energy, inaugurated the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference on 26 September 2024 in New Delhi.

During the inauguration ceremony, Deepak Ballani, the Director-General of the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), launched the ISMA Times magazine. The Magazine will provide information about the sugar industry and its future direction.

The conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and stakeholders to encourage dialogue, innovation, and collaboration for sustainable growth and development of the sugar and bio-energy industries.

Bioenergy refers to the use of sugarcane to produce energy. Ethanol, derived from molasses, is blended with petrol to run petrol-driven vehicles. Molasses is a by-product produced during the production of sugar from sugarcane.

Organiser of the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference?

The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), in collaboration with the Indian Government and the International Sugar Organisation, organised the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference. The two-day Conference was held in  New Delhi on September 26 and 27, 2024.

Theme of the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference

The 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference theme was ‘Harmonising Sweet Sustainability: Navigating India’s Path to a Green Economy’.

Highlight of the Pralhad Joshi Speech

• During his inaugural speech, Pralhad Joshi said that India is the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of Ethanol. The United States is the largest producer of ethanol in the world, and Brazil is the second-largest producer.
• In the last 10 years, the area under sugarcane cultivation has increased by about 18%, while sugarcane production has increased by 40% in the country.
• After Brazil, India is the second largest producer of sugarcane in the world.
• Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme: The government of India has launched the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme to blend 20 per cent ethanol with petrol. The government aims to achieve this target by 2025-26 nationwide.
• Government commitment: The minister said the Centre Government is committed to a robust, sustainable sugar industry that is an economic pillar and a driving force in India's renewable energy landscape. 
• He said the government will continue encouraging innovation, public-private partnerships in the sugar industry, and farmer-centric policies to ensure India’s sugar and bio-energy sectors remain globally competitive.