{
  "id": 8807809,
  "title": "India’s ethanol vision needs a feedstock reality check",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/indias-ethanol-vision-needs-a-feedstock-reality-check",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T00:45:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/sugar-prices-ethanol-maize-water-crisis-10886608/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India is striving to reduce its crude oil imports through increased ethanol production, but the plan faces challenges from the fluctuating sugar price and water usage concerns. Sugarcane, maize, and rice can all be used to create ethanol, with maize yielding the most ethanol per tonne. However, maize is also the most affordable at around Rs 20,000-21,000 per tonne. Rice and sugarcane-based ethanol require significantly more water, with rice using 2,000-3,500 litres per kg of ethanol produced. The mandatory use of E20 fuel could further increase demand for ethanol, potentially raising prices for dairy and meat products. Although allowing the use of genetically modified (GM) maize could boost ethanol production, domestic seeds are currently the only option. The high water consumption of rice and sugarcane may make maize a better choice, but this could strain India's water resources. The demand for water is also on the rise due to the construction of data centers, which require substantial amounts of power and water. Balancing ethanol production, water scarcity, and rising feedstock costs presents a complex challenge for India's ethanol vision.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "India aims to reduce crude oil imports via ethanol production.",
    "Maize is most affordable and efficient feedstock for ethanol.",
    "Rice and sugarcane ethanol require significant water, posing water scarcity concerns."
  ],
  "editors_take": "India's push for ethanol production faces a harsh reality check as water scarcity and fluctuating feedstock costs threaten to undermine its ambitions to reduce crude oil imports.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}