However, brainstorming is still going on in this direction because BioFuel cannot be considered completely successful from the point of view of food security.
A report was published in February this year – “Electricity 2025”. This report by the International Energy Agency shows that India’s electricity demand has increased by seven percent by year 2023 i.e. last year. If this increase continues at this pace, then in two years or say, by the year 2026, India is going to leave China behind.
Here necessity needs invention. In this situation, the country needs more energy and for that, the development of renewable energy sources becomes not only necessary but also mandatory. Experts consider BioFuel as the first simple and successful solution in this direction.
Here this concern becomes the question whether BioFuel is successful from the point of view of food security?
Some time ago, in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi had also discussed BioFuel and also mentioned what efforts the BJP-led government is making in this direction. On that radio platform too, our Karmayogi Prime Minister had told that BioFuel has emerged as a major source of sustainable energy which is capable of meeting the increasing energy demand of the country.
BioFuel is produced from organic matter. BioFuel is a renewable energy source, which is produced from organic matter. In other words, renewable energy is produced from agricultural residues, animal fat, and waste. Experts say that there are many types of BioFuel, but among them, biodiesel and ethanol are the most prominent.
Global demand continues to increase
Ethanol is produced from crops like sugarcane and maize while biodiesel is prepared from animal fat, vegetable oil, and algae. According to the data of the International Energy Forum, the global BioFuel demand can increase to 200 billion liters in the next six years i.e. by 2030.
Beneficial in terms of carbon emission drive
An important research done in this direction shows that using BioFuel mixed with traditional fossil fuels reduces carbon emissions. Six years ago in the year 2018, the Government of India had made a National BioFuel Policy, under which the government has set a target of 20% ethanol blend in petrol by 2025-26 and 5% biodiesel blend in diesel by 2030.
Savings of crores on oil imports too
The purpose of making such a policy is to save foreign currency by reducing the import of fossil fuels. In the period 2022-23, India supplied 502 crore liters of ethanol, where there was a saving of Rs 24,300 crore on oil imports.
Supports the fight against climate change
India is still an agricultural country where the use of BioFuel can prove beneficial in many ways. This also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and helps India in its fight against climate change. According to a United Nations report, BioFuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost ninety percent.
Helpful in the direction of net zero emissions target
Talking about biodiesel, it emits 78% less carbon dioxide, while ethanol reduces emissions by 40 to 50 percent. If assessed in this way, then India can get good help in achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070.
Two grand benefits
On the one hand, BioFuel will be helpful in reducing greenhouse gases, while on the other hand it will also encourage afforestation and biodiversity conservation. Just like the environment, the best thing is that BioFuel will increase the income of farmers and it will not be difficult for the government to achieve the target of ‘doubling the income of farmers’.
