Title: Need to declare a firm policy for production of ethanol -laid.
SHRI S.D. MANDLIK (KOLHAPUR): Our country had sufficient stock of sugar available for sugar export and international price of sugar was also good. However, at that stage sugar export was banned and in consequence the farmers lost a good opportunity of reaping a good price for sugar. As a result sugar stocks also piled up.
Now, the ban has been lifted at a stage when international prices of sugar have crashed. As a result of this policy the Indian farmer’s have lost a good opportunity of gating good sugar price. The Government therefore must find a way to compensate the farmer’s for this loss.
In this respect it is noteworthy that most of the sugar cane growing countries have firm future policy on ethanol and sugar production. As a matter of fact most of the oil requirement of Brazil is being met through ethanol production and they are now also exporting their ethanol & sugar. While agricultural conditions are similar the India has no firm policy on ethanol and there is no State support.
Through your good office Sir, I urge the Prime Minister, the Agricultural Minister to decide a firm future policy on ethanol production for the benefit of farmer’s and oblige.