The political debate surrounding E20 fuel has extended to Punjab's farming sector, with farmer representatives expressing concern that growing criticism of the Centre's ethanol blending programme could negatively impact maize and sugarcane growers who have benefited from the policy in recent years.
The concerns follow remarks made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a "National Townhall" on August 1, where he questioned the rollout of E20 petrol, raising issues related to its impact on older vehicles, fuel efficiency and consumer awareness. His comments sparked a broader discussion on the Centre's ethanol blending initiative.
While much of the debate has centred on vehicle owners and consumers, farmer groups in Punjab argue that any uncertainty surrounding the programme could directly affect crop prices and agricultural incomes.
Farmers link ethanol policy to improved crop prices
Punjab is one of India's leading sugarcane-producing states and has also been encouraging maize cultivation to reduce dependence on water-intensive paddy farming. The Centre's ethanol blending programme has boosted demand for both crops, providing farmers with an additional market while supporting crop diversification.
Narinder Bhel, president of the Majha Zone Arthia Association, said farmers fear that any weakening of the ethanol policy would reduce demand for maize and sugarcane.
Bhel said political parties often speak about improving farmers' welfare, but opposing a policy that creates greater demand for agricultural produce sends mixed signals. Identifying himself as both a farmer and someone involved in agricultural trade, he questioned how rolling back the programme would benefit Punjab's farming community.
He also expressed concern over claims that E20 petrol damages vehicles or lowers mileage, saying such narratives were creating uncertainty among farmers who had shifted to maize cultivation due to the increased demand generated by ethanol production.
According to Bhel, many farmers invested in maize because the ethanol programme offered improved returns. Any slowdown or reversal of the policy, he warned, could result in declining crop prices and financial losses for growers.
Small farmers seek continuation of the policy
Several farmers echoed similar concerns, saying the ethanol blending programme had substantially improved their earnings.
Jagroop Singh, a farmer from Bhurli village, said maize prices remained low until ethanol plants began purchasing the crop.
"I am a small farmer, and earlier we received poor prices for maize. Since ethanol plants started buying it, we have been getting better returns and are able to sustain ourselves. The government should continue promoting ethanol so that more farmers can benefit," he said.
Another farmer, Jagjit Singh, who cultivates maize on four to five acres of land, said higher prices had helped ease his financial burden.
"We are finally receiving good prices for maize and gradually coming out of debt. We request Arvind Kejriwal not to oppose the programme because it has provided relief to farmers like us," he said.
Experts highlight diversification benefits
Agricultural experts believe the ethanol blending programme has played an important role in diversifying Punjab's cropping pattern by generating stable demand for maize and sugarcane, reducing dependence on conventional procurement systems. They caution that uncertainty over the policy could influence future investment decisions by both farmers and ethanol producers.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal has maintained that sufficient information has not been made available regarding the long-term impact of E20 fuel on older vehicles, mileage and potential technical issues. These concerns formed the central theme of the National Townhall held in Delhi.
The Centre, however, has defended the ethanol blending programme, describing it as a key part of India's strategy to improve energy security by reducing crude oil imports, cutting emissions and increasing farmers' incomes through higher demand for agricultural produce.
The government has also stated that E20 fuel was introduced in phases after extensive scientific testing. According to the Centre, nearly 20 crore two-wheelers and around 3 crore four-wheelers have been using E20 petrol over the past two-and-a-half years. It argues that if the fuel caused widespread damage to vehicles, such issues would already have become evident on a large scale.
As the debate continues, Punjab's farmers are urging both the Centre and political parties to ensure that discussions surrounding E20 fuel do not weaken a policy they believe has improved rural incomes and promoted crop diversification.
