Promoting bio-fuels in India will help reduce oil imports as well as resolve the country's complex agricultural problems, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

 

 

 "Bio-fuels can be socio-economic change agents as it would address crucial issues of farmer suicides, agri surpluses in the sugar wheat and rice industries and fuel economy. Higher use of biofuels will directly help reduce petrol and diesel imports which are at about Rs.6 lakh crore," he said at an event here on bio-fuels organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

 

 The minister said that adding green fuels such as ethanol, bio-diesel and bio-gas could change the face of rural India that is faced with agricultural crisis.

 

 "In my area, there are more than 10,000 suicides by farmers. Making diesel and gas in rural areas can be a good option. This is the need of the country and, in true sense, this is 'Make in India'," he said.

 

 Bio-fuel such as ethanol from sugar can "really be a great ray of hope for poor people,"  he added.

 

 "The prime minister was telling to petroleum ministry you find out a way and increase your production for petroleum products and that is how we can stop these imports," Gadkari said.

 

 He, however, cautioned the industry that there was no use trying to convince the petroleum ministry in this regard.

 

 "My previous experience about this petroleum ministry, majority of them are against this bio-fuel, I dont know why? My suggestion is don't waste your time in convincing these people," he said.