Grain-based ethanol units to gain as new corn variety with more starch in offing

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The specifications in corn seeds are set for a change as government is planning to incorporate “ethanol content” when approval is sought to motivate farmers to opt for best varieties which can fetch better prices. Simultaneously, research is on to develop varieties having at least 40 per cent or above ethanol content from current 38 per cent.

In next 1-2 years, the Ludhiana-based Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) is likely to develop a variety having a recovery level of 41-42 per cent ethanol (measured on basis of starch content), sources said. On the other hand, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will soon decide if every new maize seed must mention the ethanol content while seeking approval for commercial release, which was earlier not required.

Though both the steps may go a long way to promote grain-based ethanol plants and help farmers realise better prices, the success also depends on government making suitable changes in the lebel of seeds packet, industry sources said.

“It is essential for the farmers to know that the varieties they select contain how much ethanol so that they can demand from the distilleries the prices for the crop accordingly. Besides, the government should consider fixing MSP on the basis of ethanol content so that the maize having higher content can get more price, similar to the sugarcane model,” said an industry expert.

But, noted maize scientist Sain Dass said that the sugarcane model will not work in maize since the crop has cross pollination risk. “Though it is beneficial for farmers to get awareness about the benefits of the maize varieties they grow, but even if ethanol content is mentioned on the label, the starch content can be lower if the crop is affected due to cross pollination from another variety (lower in starch) from an adjacent field,” Dass said.

He also said that distilleries have to come forward and the government has to facilitate contract farming so that at least in a radius of 200 meter there is no other “different” maize variety grown, other than the highest ethanol-content variety.

India has 742 crore litres capacity of grain-based distilleries (as on October 31) while 126 crore litre can be additionally produced in dual-feed facilities set up by sugar mills.

In the sugarcane model, sugar mills are mandated to buy the crop from farmers at the price fixed by the government. The price is based on a fixed recovery of juice and mills have to pay higher for the varieties that contain higher recovery rate.