India's ethanol surplus reveals policy-driven overproduction and market misalignment
Original framing: “India's ethanol producers feel the pinch of success” — The Japan Times
Comparing India’s ethanol policy with Brazil’s shows how cultural and political contexts shape energy transitions. Brazil’s integration of ethanol into a broader energy strategy contrasts with India’s more fragmented and policy-driven approach.
India’s ethanol surplus is not a market failure but a policy-induced outcome driven by top-down mandates and subsidies.
The overproduction reflects a lack of alignment between energy policy and ecological, economic, and social realities. By integrating agroecological practices, decentralizing energy production, and including marginalized voices in policy design, India can move toward a more sustainable and equitable energy future. Lessons from Brazil and indigenous agricultural knowledge offer pathways to balance energy needs with food security and environmental stewardship.