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The fortnight’s burning question: Will the increased focus on biofuels threaten India’s food security?

The fortnight’s burning question: Will the increased focus on biofuels threaten India’s food security?

No. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
I believe the way forward for India is to encourage research in the use of sugarcane and maize for the production of ethanol and its use as an alternative fuel. At the same time, we must ensure that prime farm land is retained only for food farming activities.

Yes. D.K. Joshi, Principal Economist, CRISIL
I think the Indian government should give priority to food security over fuel security. We can’t produce biofuels at the expense of food crops. If we look at the global scenario, rising fuel prices have forced countries to shift their arable land completely towards biofuel production. But India should desist from such practices.

No. Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI
India has 120 million hectares of land, which is cultivable but not used. I think 10 per cent of this land can be used for biofuels production. Then, Jatropha can grow on virtually barren land, so it can be planted on huge tracts of waste land where food does not grow well.

Compiled by Manu Kaushik

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