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

Oinam Nabakishore Singh *

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.