Sri Nischalanathananda Swami, Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami, K.M. Harinikumar and others at the valedictory of Krishi Mela 2025 in Mandya on December 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Mandya, known as the land of sugar, continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s biofuel sector, contributing significantly to achieving the 20% ethanol blending target in petrol in 2025, according to S.E. Sudheendra, Chairman, Karnataka State Bioenergy Development Board.
Recalling the district’s historic contribution, he noted that Mandya had supplied ethanol to Mumbai’s public transport red buses as early as 1939.
Mr. Sudheendra was speaking at the Krishi Mela, which concluded at V.C. Farm in Mandya on December 7. The Board had set up a stall to share information on its ongoing bioenergy action plans, and the proposed Bioenergy Policy.
The stall, put up by the Karnataka State Bioenergy Development Board in collaboration with Biofuel Park, Hassan, and the Bioenergy Information and Demonstration Centre, Mandya, served as a roadmap for implementing the Board’s initiatives. Mr. Sudheendra said the awareness and demonstrations offered by the Board would help bridge the gap between farmers, investors and consumers, especially in the collection, storage and transportation of bioenergy resources.
Farmers and others visited the stall at the first-ever Krishi Mela to explore opportunities in the green energy sector. The mela’s theme — Sustainability through integrated agriculture — highlighted the synergy between agriculture and the bioenergy sector, the Board stated.
Earlier, Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, who inaugurated the stall, stressed the need for food and energy security to accelerate national development. He cited the example of an IPS officer’s mother engaged in farming to demonstrate how agriculture can be both sustainable and profitable.
Dr. Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Mandya; Nandini K.R., CEO, Zilla Panchayat; Mallikarjun Baldandi, Superintendent of Police; Shivashankar L., Managing Director of the Board; Dr. A.C. Girish, Coordinator, Biofuel Park; Dr. Rupesh, BRIDC Coordinator; and other officials were present.
Published – December 08, 2025 04:22 pm IST
