According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2, 5 and 6 only
2. 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
3. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• According to the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, the following materials can be used for biofuel production:
• For Ethanol Production:
  • B-Molasses, Sugarcane juice, biomass in form of grasses, agriculture residues (Rice straw, cotton stalk, corn cobs, saw dust, bagasse etc.) , sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, etc. and starch containing materials such as corn, cassava, rotten potatoes etc., Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice etc. which are unfit for human consumption, Food grains during surplus phase. Algal feedstock and cultivation of sea weeds can also be a potential feedstock for ethanol production.
• For Biodiesel Production:
  • Non- edible Oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil (UCO), Animal tallow, Acid Oil, Algal feedstock etc.
• For Advanced Biofuels:
  • Biomass, MSW, Industrial waste, Plastic waste, etc

Answer: (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only; Difficulty Level: Easy