In his video message at the India Sugar and Bio-Energy Conference, Puri lauded the efforts of the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) and International Sugar Organisation (ISO). He said, “We have entered a new era in the pursuit of sustainable growth, and nations coming together for sustainability is a great move. India is focused on continuously raising the bar in terms of ethanol blending. The sugar industry has played a significant role in it, and it has a larger role to play in sustainable aviation fuels.”

 

Speaking at the conference, ISMA president, Aditya Jhunjhunwala, highlighted the importance of the right policy support to help India achieve its sustainability targets. “We are well on our way to achieving the target of 20% of ethanol blending by 2025. We also need to think beyond 2025, as demand is projected to increase much higher by the end of this decade,” he added.

 

Sangeet Singla from the food ministry said there is a need to focus on social upliftment of farmers, focusing on areas like healthcare and education. “For the empowerment of farmers and the strengthening of the rural economy, we must not only focus on environmental concerns but also on social aspects such as healthcare and education. We need to prioritize sustainable inputs for crops, minimize or optimize the use of chemical fertilizers, and provide training to farmers. The sugar industry must take the lead in training farmers," he said