New Delhi, April 21 -- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that the use of maize for ethanol production has significantly boosted farmer incomes and crop prices, while also encouraging increased cultivation.

Addressing the gathering at IFGE's Green Transport Conclave: Accelerating Towards the Future of Sustainable and Green Mobility, Gadkari highlighted the positive impact of ethanol blending on the agriculture sector.

He said that earlier, sugar mills had pending dues of around Rs 1.35 lakh crore to Rs 1.40 lakh crore to farmers, but the situation has improved with ethanol production, enabling timely payments.

"Now sugar mills are paying farmers because of ethanol," he said.

Gadkari also recal...