-Down to Earth Could diversify feedstock basket, help secure long-term sustainability with improved economics  Ethanol-blended petrol is regarded as one of the most acceptable alternative fuel blends for transportation; however, the use of molasses and broken grains for its production raises the question of food vs fuel. Second-generation (2G) bioethanol could help to secure long-term sustainability with improved economics for the Indian biofuel market.   Union Minister of State (Ministry of Science and...

-Business Standard External storms are morphing into hurricanes. India is in a relatively better position than many other countries, but this period of heightened volatility will require agility and clarity on policy Despite recovering from the pandemic, repeated global shocks have presented numerous challenges for India’s economy this year, driving inflation and evoking balance of payments (BoP) pressures. These shocks will likely persist for much longer.  In the US, even amidst signs of...

-VillageSquare.in With intensifying monsoons and deepening soil erosion, Assam is becoming one of India’s states most vulnerable to climate change, hurting food production and livelihoods in the process. Each year, during the monsoon, the mighty Brahmaputra River and its tributaries burst their banks and engulf huge tracts of farming and residential land in the remote north-eastern state of Assam, home to 34 million people. The state government, engineers and other experts are exploring...

-The Hindu September food inflation quickens sharply to 8.41%, the steepest level in 22 months; economists warn that the negative surprise could spur more rate increases from the Reserve Bank of India India’s retail inflation accelerated to 7.41% in September from 7% in August, with food price inflation surging sharply from 7.62% in August to 8.6% in September, the National Statistical Office (NSO) said on Wednesday. At 7.41%, September’s retail inflation level is...

-Business Standard IIP shrinks 0.8% in Aug - a first in 17 months In a double whammy for the Indian economy, the retail inflation rate shot up to a five-month high in September, while factory output contracted after a gap of 17 months in August. This could force the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to hike the repo rate yet again in December. Data released by the National Statistical Office showed that consumer...