Chhattisgarh seeking to develop rice paddy-waste ethanol industry

In India, Money Control reports Chhattisgarh wants to set up ethanol production from rice paddy waste in an effort to boost local fuel production as corn and sugarcane aren’t widely available in the state. Chhattisgarh is known as the rice bowl of India. The idea is to set up six hubs in key rice areas where farmers can drop off paddy waste at no charge, which will also reduce paddy burning in the region. Already an MOU has been signed between the state government, Indian Oil Corporation and the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and nine private companies to develop the industry that will include several ethanol plants around the state.