TODAY -

Cassava (U-Mangra) for biofuel (Ethanol) for economic development, energy security and environment

Oinam Nabakishore Singh *

Cassava (U-Mangra) - Manihot esculenta
Cassava (U-Mangra) - Manihot esculenta :: Pix Courtesy - Wikipedia / David Monniaux



The Union Cabinet approved "National Policy on Biofuels" on 16th May, 2018. So far, ethanol biofuel produced from sugarcane molasses has been allowed to be mixed with petrol in India. The new policy expands thelist of raw materials for production of biofuel- "The Policy expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch containing materials like corn, cassava, damaged food grains like wheat and broken rice, and rotten potatoes,".

Cassava(U-Mangra) (Manihot esculenta) grows very well in Manipur especially in the hills. It does not require much water and can grow in semi-arid areas very successfully. It is found in South America, Africa and Asia. It is a good source of starch/carbohydrate and it is used as staple food and other processed food. In Manipur too, cassava was perhaps eaten by people in the past during scarcity of cereals.

After easy availability of rice, cassava has lost its importance as a food item and consequently its cultivation in Manipur. But, with processing of cassava to produce a number of snacks and edible items, it enjoys a place of pride in exports by Thailand, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, etc. While food processing of cassava is equally important to help in increasing income of farmers, here we will focus on growing and producing cassava as a feedstock to produce ethanol.

Cassava roots containing 30% starch is capable of producing 280 litres of 96% pure ethanol. The process of making ethanol from cassava is quite simple and it consists of five steps-grinding, liquefaction, saccharification, fermentation and distillation.It sounds quite familiar to us as almost the same process is used in making local alcohol(Yu in Manipuri)(ethyl alcohol). The technology for production of ethanol from cassava is well-established.

In the research article, "Analysis of Sustainable Cassava Biofuel Production in Nigeria", published on 1st June, 2012,the authors, I.O. Ogundari, A.S. Momodu and A.J. Famurewa, mention that Nigeria's biofuel policy advocates the adoption of cassava as feedstock for a 10% biofuel substitution option in Nigerian transport fuel demand. The recovery price for cassava bioethanol was estimated to be US$0.74/litre.

While Nigeria is the largest producer of Cassava followed by Brazil, Thailand is the third largest exporter of cassava products. Presently about 55% of cassava is grown in the Northeast, 30% in the East and Central Plain and 15% in the Northern region of Thailand.

During the late 1980s the cassava area of Thailand reached a peak of 10 million rai(1 rai=0.16 hectare), almost all planted with one variety, called Rayong 1, and almost all destined for the lucrative export market of cassava pellets in Europe. Cassava pellets are used in animal feeds.

The official website of Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, Ministry of Energy of Royal Thai Government writes that "the government targets to boost ethanol usage to 3 million liters/day by 2015 and to 9 million liters/day by 2021 through gasohol usage promotion despite expansion difficulties of gasohol stations.

In Thailand, gasohol refers to gasoline with a certain mixture of ethanol, produced from agricultural products such as sugar cane and cassava. At present, there are around 20 gasohol production plants, with combined capacity of 4.79 million liters/day. Of the total, 10 plants with 2.18 million liters/day capacity based on molasses, four plants with 0.7 million liters/day capacity based on cassava plants and molasses, one plant with 0.23 million liters/day capacity based on sugar cane, and six plants with 1.68 million liters/day capacity based on cassava root. Another three plants are under construction, which will have combined capacity of 1.37 million liters/day and will use cassava root as raw material."

In India, ethanol made from sugarcane molasses in sugar mills is blended with petrol. Indian Sugar Mills Association(ISMA) finalized tender for supply of 113 crore litres of ethanol to Oil Marketing Companies for blending with petrol. To achieve the target of 10% blending of ethanol with petrol, 313 crore litres of ethanol is required. Ethanol is directly supplied to the Oil Depots of the Oil Marketing Companies.

As of now, maximum supply of ethanol to Oil Marketing Companies is in two states of Uttar Pradesh(44.3 crore litres) and Maharashtra(40.3 litres). In terms of blending of ethanol with petrol, Uttar Pradesh leads with 9.6% followed by Maharashtra at 8.6% and Bihar at 7%."At an ex-distillery procurement price of Rs 40.85 per litre and procurement of the finalized quantity of 113 crore litre, the revenue realisation during 2017-18 by sugar industry/ethanol suppliers would be over Rs. 4,500 crore," ISMA said, adding this will help in making cane price payment. On 27th June, 2018,the Union Cabinet increased the price of ethanol produced from C-molasses to Rs 43.70 per litre for the 2018-19 season (December-November) from the current Rs. 40.85 per litre.

As of now, less than 5% blending of ethanol with petrol is taking place in India against the target of 10%. There is high demand for ethanol for blending. In the north-east India, there is no production of ethanol. Numaligarh Refinery is setting up a refinery to produce ethanol from bamboo. There is a huge scope and demand for ethanol for blending. In case Manipur produces ethanol from cassava or any other source like bamboo, maize, sweet potato, etc., it can be directly supplied to Oil Depot of Indian Oil Corporation at Malom.

It is learnt that Manipur Government has constituted a Committee to initiate action on biofuels. The most economically and technically feasible option is production of ethanol from cassava by mass cultivation of cassava in the hills of Manipur. It is possible to adopt cassava cultivation in hills,foot hill and waste land by as stand-alone crop or mixed cropping along with other crops.

With assured procurement for processing of cassava either for food products or ethanol production, it is possible to take up extensive cultivation of cassava as was done in Thailand in 1970s and 1980s. Cassava can grow in the most unfertile and dry places. If the farmers of Manipur, especially in the hills, take up cassava cultivation with assured arrangement for purchase by processors, it is possible to improve the economic condition of the farmers.

It may also be pointed out that the Central Government has earmarked Rs. 5000 crore for viability gap funding scheme for 2G ethanol bio refineries in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels. Those willing to set up bio-refineries can avail this financial assistance.

Petrol blended with ethanol is more environment friendly as emissions from vehicle using petrol alone produces greenhouse gases. Further, production and use of domestically produced biofuel(ethanol) not only increases energy security, but it also helps in reduction of oil imports and consequent outflow of foreign exchange. Reduction in oil imports through blending of bio fuel leads to better balance of payment and current account.

Entrepreneurs of Manipur may like to take notice of the business opportunity available on account of production and processing of cassava. Policy makers may also pay attention to the opportunity in the interest of economy, environment and employment.


Views expressed are personal.


* Oinam Nabakishore Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on 15 July , 2018 .


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Lamtanganba, Adum , Mahaiso : eMing
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • 40 Years & 04 Stations- Part IV (Madras)
  • Manipur Gold: 34th Sr Natl Sepaktakraw C'ship
  • Public Health Risk Management Training
  • The Power of Poppy - 64 :: Poem
  • The Science of Success #4
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • A Hymn for Goddess Emoinu
  • Are the foods we eat, correct ?
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • The Taste of Dreams : Teaser Unveiled
  • Be a child of courage & conquer obstacle
  • Hans Renal Care Centre in Guwahati
  • Focus on pre-May 3, 2023 period
  • Conundrum over the genesis of crisis
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • North-East Students invited to JEE Main 2025
  • Empower the State else avoid blame on CM
  • Obituary : Thaunawjam Brajamohon
  • Hope :: Poem
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #3
  • Winter makeup tips for dry skin
  • Imphal, Delhi still groping in the dark
  • Tension over assault case, land claims
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #1 : Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • Indigenous Pottery Making @Imphal : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #4 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #1: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet