Agriculture for producing both fuel and food: Optimism and prudence for India

This paper considers the prospect of embracing biofuel as a reasonable energy source for the future of the world where dependence on fossil fuel faces the threat of exhaustion and environmental adversities. In the backdrop of experiences of other countries of producing and consuming ethanol and biodiesel based on farm-generated feedstock, the paper weighs India's option of switching to biofuel for sustainable growth and agricultural development against possible trade-offs like land diversion from food and possible but less discussed environmental implications.