Allocation of 9 Million Tonnes of Broken Rice to Ethanol Manufacturers Possible

25-Mar-2026 07:55 PM

New Delhi. The Union Food Secretary has stated that a proposal will be placed before the Cabinet suggesting a reduction in the permissible limit of broken grains in rice distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS)—from the current 25 percent to 10 percent.

Consequently, an estimated surplus stock of approximately 9 million tonnes of broken rice would become available, which could then be allocated to ethanol manufacturers.

Currently, rice distributed under the PDS typically contains up to 25 percent broken grains. The Central Government has already issued directives to millers in several states to limit the proportion of broken rice supplied to 10 percent.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has begun receiving substantial quantities of this quality of rice through custom milling operations.

On the other hand, there is a growing recognition of the need to boost ethanol production in order to reduce dependence on the import of mineral oils; therefore, the supply of rice to grain-based distilleries may be increased.