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Maharashtra to Launch Rs 4,000 Crore Bamboo Project to Boost Ethanol and Green Energy Production
- Ajjay Bhagyakar
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
Author: Ajjay Bhagyakar
Source: ChiniMandi
Maharashtra is taking a bold step towards a greener and more sustainable future with the launch of a massive Rs 4,000 crore bamboo-based industrial project. Backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this transformative initiative will span the next seven years, creating new opportunities in ethanol production, clean energy, and bamboo-driven industries.
A New Era for Bamboo Cultivation
The project is spearheaded by Pasha Patel, Chairman of the State Agriculture Price Commission and Executive Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Task Force on Environment and Sustainability. Patel envisions bamboo cultivation as a game-changer for Maharashtra’s farmers, offering them not only assured markets but also the chance to contribute to India’s green energy goals.
Supporting this vision, Praveen Pardeshi, CEO of the Maharashtra Institute of Transformation (MITRA) and Chief Economic Advisor to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, revealed that MoUs with farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) will be signed at a special conference in Mumbai on September 18-19, coinciding with International Bamboo Day.
Driving Value Addition and Industrial Growth
Under India’s biomass policy, the demand for bamboo is steadily increasing, especially for energy production. Pardeshi highlighted the importance of processing bamboo into torrefied and pellet forms instead of supplying it raw. This value addition will unlock greater economic returns for farmers and industries alike.
The initiative, modeled after the successful SMART project, will establish a robust ecosystem for bamboo cultivation, processing, and industrial applications. Farmers will also benefit from guaranteed buyback agreements, ensuring a stable income and solving the long-standing issue of post-harvest sales.
Ethanol and Energy: The Bamboo Advantage
“Bamboo can be a game-changer,” said Pardeshi. “It has the potential to produce energy, ethanol, methanol, and a variety of other products, creating a new economy in the state.”
With its rapid growth rate and high biomass yield, bamboo emerges as one of the most sustainable raw materials for producing second-generation (2G) ethanol and other biofuels. This will not only reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels but also help meet the country’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
Dr. Hemant Vasekar, CEO of the SMART project, confirmed that extensive support for cultivation and processing will be extended through FPO networks to ensure seamless implementation.
Assam Leads the Way with Bioethanol Breakthrough
While Maharashtra prepares to roll out its bamboo revolution, Assam has already taken a big leap. Engineers India Limited (EIL) recently completed the Bio Refinery Project of Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited (ABEPL) in Numaligarh. Scheduled for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 14, the facility will produce:
49,000 TPA of bioethanol
11,000 TPA of acetic acid
19,000 TPA of furfural
This cutting-edge facility has already achieved a milestone by producing 99.7% purified ethanol directly from bamboo feedstock, marking India’s first successful large-scale 2G ethanol production. Designed as a zero-waste, self-sustaining plant, it generates 25 MW of captive power and supports over 50,000 people engaged in the bamboo supply chain.
The Road Ahead
Maharashtra’s Rs 4,000 crore bamboo initiative is expected to replicate Assam’s success on a larger scale, establishing bamboo as a pillar of India’s green economy. By combining sustainable farming with high-value industrial processing, this project will empower farmers, create jobs, and position bamboo as a vital resource in India’s renewable energy and ethanol production journey. Author: Ajjay Bhagyakar
Source: ChiniMandi
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