India’s ambition to reduce its dependence on imported crude oil has placed biofuels at the centre of its energy transition strategy. The government’s ethanol blending programme has made impressive progress, with the country steadily increasing the share of ethanol mixed with petrol. This initiative promises multiple benefits—lower oil imports, reduced carbon emissions, higher incomes for farmers and improved energy security. However, as India pushes towards higher blending targets, an equally important question has emerged: can the nation ensure fuel security without compromising food security?
The debate is not unique to India. Several countries, including Brazil and the United States, have adopted biofuel blending programmes to reduce fossil fuel consumption. However, India’s circumstances are distinct. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and rising food demand, the country must carefully balance two equally important priorities—feeding its people and powering its economy.
The primary concern lies in the raw materials used for ethanol production. Sugarcane, maize and other food crops are among the key feedstocks for producing bioethanol. If a larger share of these crops is diverted towards fuel production without a corresponding increase in agricultural output, food availability could tighten, putting upward pressure on food prices. Higher prices would disproportionately affect lower-income households, for whom food constitutes a significant portion of monthly expenditure.
India has already demonstrated remarkable success in achieving food self-sufficiency since the Green Revolution. Any energy policy must ensure that these gains are not undermined. Food security remains a strategic necessity, particularly at a time when climate change, unpredictable monsoons and global supply chain disruptions continue to threaten agricultural production.
At the same time, the case for biofuels remains compelling. India imports more than 80% of its crude oil requirements, making the economy vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties. Expanding domestic ethanol production can reduce import bills, improve energy independence and contribute to India’s climate commitments by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. For millions of sugarcane farmers, ethanol production has also created an additional and more stable source of income.
The solution, therefore, is not to choose between food and fuel but to produce both more efficiently. India must increasingly shift towards second-generation (2G) biofuels that utilise agricultural residues such as rice straw, wheat straw, bamboo and other non-food biomass. Every year, large quantities of crop residue are either burned or wasted, contributing to severe air pollution across northern India. Converting this agricultural waste into ethanol would simultaneously address stubble burning, improve rural incomes and reduce pressure on food crops.
Investment in research and development will also be crucial. Scientists are developing advanced biofuels from algae, municipal waste and industrial by-products that do not compete directly with food production. Encouraging these technologies through policy support and private investment can help India diversify its biofuel sources while protecting food supplies.
Agricultural productivity must also improve. Higher crop yields through better irrigation, improved seeds, precision farming and modern technology can increase overall production, making it possible to meet both food and industrial demand. Crop diversification should be promoted based on regional suitability rather than encouraging excessive cultivation of water-intensive crops solely for ethanol production.
Water availability presents another challenge. Sugarcane, one of the major feedstocks for ethanol, is a highly water-intensive crop. Expanding its cultivation in water-stressed regions could worsen groundwater depletion. Therefore, future biofuel policies should align with water conservation strategies and encourage feedstocks that require fewer natural resources.
A balanced regulatory framework will be essential. Policymakers should continuously monitor food prices, grain stocks and agricultural output before expanding ethanol blending targets. During years of poor harvests, food security must take precedence. Flexible policies that adjust blending requirements based on crop availability can help prevent unintended economic consequences.
Ultimately, India’s energy transition should not become a choice between filling fuel tanks and filling dinner plates. The country’s long-term success lies in adopting a diversified biofuel strategy that encourages innovation, protects farmers, conserves natural resources and safeguards food availability.
India has the capacity to become a global leader in clean energy without compromising its agricultural foundation. By investing in advanced biofuels, improving farm productivity and adopting evidence-based policies, the nation can achieve both energy security and food security. Sustainable development is not about choosing one priority over another—it is about ensuring that both grow together.
— Sara Debbarma