New Delhi: Country's agriculture and allied industry representatives are calling for tax cuts, increased funding for biofuels and stronger support for farmers ahead of the FY27 Budget, as the sector faces mounting climate pressures and aims to boost rural incomes.
The demands come at a critical juncture as India approaches the midpoint of its agriculture targets for 2030 and lays the groundwork for its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Stakeholders have emphasised the need for sustained investment in innovation, infrastructure and market reforms to position Indian agriculture as a globally competitive growth engine.
SUGAR SECTOR REFORMS
In a representation made to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) has demanded Rs 2,500 crore for advanced biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green hydrogen, alongside 25 billion rupees to help financially weak sugar mills build integrated bio-energy hubs.
India already imports vegetable oil, and ethanol can play an important role in alcohol-to-jet technology for SAF, the trade body said. Producing one kilogram of hydrogen consumes 70 units of electricity, and infrastructure using ethanol for hydrogen production would benefit the sugar industry, it added.
