Prelims 2020 · Environment · Question 64
According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?
- Cassava
- Damaged wheat grains
- Groundnut seeds
- Horse grams
- Rotten potatoes
- Sugar beet.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer
1, 2, 5 and 6 only
1. Cassava – Yes. The National Policy on Biofuels permits starch-based feedstocks for ethanol production; cassava is explicitly a starch-rich source. Verdict: Correct.
2. Damaged wheat grains – Yes. The policy allows damaged food grains unfit for human consumption for ethanol production. Verdict: Correct.
3. Groundnut seeds – No. The policy does not specifically list edible oilseed crops like groundnut seeds as approved raw material in this context; biodiesel feedstock is mainly non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, animal tallow, etc. Verdict: Incorrect.
4. Horse grams – No. Horse gram/pulses are not listed feedstocks under the policy for biofuel production. My earlier inclusion was an error. Verdict: Incorrect.
5. Rotten potatoes – Yes. The policy allows rotten/surplus agricultural produce such as rotten potatoes for ethanol production. Verdict: Correct.
6. Sugar beet – Yes. The policy includes sugar-containing feedstocks like sugar beet for ethanol production. Verdict: Correct.
Thus, the correct set is 1, 2, 5 and 6 only → (a).