Central idea 

The article discusses India’s challenges in achieving its 20% ethanol blending target by 2025, focusing on the transition to grains-based ethanol and potential impacts on food prices. It highlights the trade-offs between renewable energy goals and the risk of uncontrollable food inflation, urging a reconsideration of targets and exploration of alternative energy sources.

Key Highlights:

• Renewable Energy Pledge: Over 100 countries commit to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 at COP28 in Dubai.
• Ethanol Blending in India: Ethanol blended petrol (EBP) in India rose from 1.6% (2013-14) to 11.8% (2022-23), aiming for a 20% target by 2025.
• Challenges with Ethanol Target: Low sugar stocks and potential sugarcane production shortfall pose challenges to India’s 20% ethanol blending target by 2025.
• Shift to Grains-based Ethanol: Government explores a transition to grains-based ethanol, emphasizing maize procurement for ethanol distilleries.
• National Agricultural Cooperative Involvement: Authorization of NAFED and NCCF to procure maize signals a focus on an organized maize-feed supply chain for ethanol.

Key Challenges:

• Low Sugar Stocks: Current low sugar stocks impact ethanol production from sugarcane, necessitating a shift to alternative feedstocks like maize.
• Sugarcane Shortfall: Impending shortfall in sugarcane production poses a challenge to meeting ethanol blending targets.
• Food-Fuel Trade-off: Transition to grains-based ethanol raises concerns about diverting grains from food production, potentially impacting food prices.
• Ethanol Price Dynamics: Link between ethanol, crude oil, and corn prices can create market volatility, affecting global food prices.

Key Terms:

• Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP): A fuel blend containing a certain percentage of ethanol mixed with petrol, aimed at reducing fossil fuel usage.
• National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED): Cooperative organization involved in agricultural marketing and procurement.
• Food-Fuel Conflict: The trade-off between using agricultural products for food or fuel production, influencing global food prices.
• Differential Pricing: Varied pricing mechanisms to incentivize specific inputs or outputs in the production process.

Key Phrases:

• Tightrope Walk: India faces a tightrope walk in achieving its ethanol blending target amidst challenges in feedstock availability.
• Food Inflation Spectre: The transition to grains-based ethanol raises concerns about potential uncontrollable food inflation.

Key Quotes:

• “The recent authorization of NAFED and NCCF to procure maize for supplying ethanol distilleries indicates emphasis on this transition…”
• “By adopting a transition to grains-based ethanol to fast-track the 2025 target achievement, is the government hurtling towards a looming spectre of uncontrollable food inflation?”

Key Statements:

• The government considers a major transition towards grains-based ethanol to meet the 20% blending target by 2025.
• The December 7, 2023, order bans the use of cane juice for ethanol production, addressing challenges related to reduced sugar stocks.

Critical Analysis:

• The article critically evaluates the challenges and trade-offs associated with India’s ethanol blending targets, considering the impact on food prices and market dynamics.
• It questions the potential risks of transitioning to grains-based ethanol, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to avoid food inflation.

Way Forward:

• Reconsidering the ethanol blending target and staggering it to mitigate contradictions is suggested.
• Advocates for increased investment in public infrastructure, urban design, and renewable energy sources like solar power as alternatives to ethanol dependence.

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