Ethanol from Surplus Rice

The conversion of surplus rice, available with the Food Corporation of India, into ethanol for use as sanitizers and ethanol blended petrol has been approved.

Alcoholic Fermentation

Alcoholic fermentation is the process by which ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced from sugars like fructose, glucose and sucrose by yeasts during its production of cellular energy. It is an anaerobic process (occurs in the absence of oxygen).

National Policy on Bio-fuel on Ethanol Production from Food Grains

The 2018 National Policy on Biofuels allows the conversion of damaged food grains that are unfit for human consumption like broken rice and wheat into ethanol. It also provides for conversion of surplus food grains into ethanol.

National Biofuel Coordination Commission

The National Policy on Biofuel provided for the setting up of a National Biofuel Coordination Committee. The committee is headed by the Prime Minister. It provides policy guidance and coordination service. The conversion of the surplus food grains to ethanol requires the approval of the committee.