Maize Strategy for Bioethanol Production in India: Prospects and Strategic Imperatives

01 January 2025, New Delhi: India is charting a new path in renewable energy with maize emerging as a crucial crop for achieving its ethanol blending targets. A recent strategy paper released by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) outlines the potential and roadmap for leveraging maize as a sustainable feedstock to meet the nation’s ambitious goals of 20% ethanol blending by 2025-26 and 30% by 2030. The document, prepared under the guidance of Dr. H.S. Jat, Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), emphasizes the strategic importance of maize in India’s transition to a green energy future.

India’s ethanol blending program has seen considerable progress, achieving an 11.7% blending rate in 2022-23. However, with the demand for ethanol expected to surge, the reliance on sugarcane and rice for bioethanol production needs to shift. Maize, with its high starch content and adaptability, offers a viable and sustainable alternative. India currently produces 38 million tonnes of maize annually, with significant contributions from states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The demand for maize as an ethanol feedstock is projected to reach 18-20 million tonnes per year by 2030, making it a critical player in the country’s biofuel strategy.

The paper highlights the advantages of maize over other feedstocks, particularly its lower water requirements compared to sugarcane. This aligns with the government’s efforts to conserve water and promote climate-resilient farming practices. Additionally, maize-based ethanol production generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to India’s climate goals. Unlike sugarcane, maize can be cultivated across multiple seasons, ensuring a steady supply for ethanol production.

India’s grain-based ethanol production capacity is expanding rapidly, with over 150 distilleries expected to produce 840 crore liters annually by 2025-26. However, several challenges need to be addressed to meet these targets. The adoption of hybrid maize varieties remains limited, and post-harvest losses due to inadequate drying and storage facilities pose significant concerns. Moreover, the variability in yields caused by climate change threatens to disrupt supply chains. The strategy paper emphasizes the need for investments in high-yielding and climate-resilient maize hybrids, as well as infrastructure improvements to minimize post-harvest losses.

One of the key benefits of maize-based ethanol production is the generation of Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a protein-rich by-product that can be used as animal feed. This not only supports the livestock industry but also provides an additional revenue stream for farmers. The economic opportunities created by maize-based ethanol could drive greater farmer participation and bolster rural incomes.

The NAAS paper underscores the potential of replacing water-intensive crops like rice with maize in regions such as the Indo-Gangetic Plains. This crop diversification could significantly enhance resource efficiency while meeting the growing demand for bioethanol. Additionally, the paper calls for targeted research to develop high-ethanol recovery hybrids and improve the quality of DDGS, ensuring the profitability of maize-based ethanol production.

India’s focus on maize as a sustainable feedstock aligns with its broader goals of achieving energy security, addressing climate change, and enhancing agricultural productivity. As the nation scales its renewable energy efforts, maize is set to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s biofuel landscape, offering a sustainable solution to meet its energy and environmental targets.

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