Stressing on the need of agricultural diversification towards energy like manufacturing of ethanol, he said the government is likely to bring a policy to promote bamboo cultivation which could be used to harness bio-fuel. 

Addressing a Summit on Crop Care & Doubling Farmers’ Income: Myths, Challenges & Way Forward by Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration of Assocham, the minister said the percentage of agriculture was less than 50 per cent in 11 states. 

He also said the government is likely to bring a policy to promote bamboo sector which could be used to harness bio-fuel. 

“I have been diligently working towards diversification of agriculture into energy and power sector, I am happy to inform that I aggressively followed up with the matter and held three meetings with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and soon we will have a bamboo policy,” he said.  

“Our petroleum minister has also signed 15 contracts to harness bio ethanol out of bamboo,” he added. 

The second generation ethanol can be made using bamboo, cotton straw, rice straw and residual cane-waste (bagasse). 

“I do not think future of farmers can be transformed by producing wheat and rice as such carrying out innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and research is very important,” he said. 

“There is a need to bring down costs per acre and also to promote allied sectors like dairy, fisheries, poultry and others,” he added.