Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that farmers in Uttar Pradesh will soon be involved in producing hydrogen from water, with the fuel expected to support aircraft, cars and railway engines. The proposal aims to expand the role of farmers beyond food production and make them contributors to India’s alternative energy sector.
Speaking at an event in Mungra Badshahpur in Jaunpur district on November 5, Gadkari said farmers should become not just ‘annadatas’ (food providers), but also ‘urjadatas’ (energy providers) and ‘indhandatas’ (fuel providers). He said hydrogen production would take place under the guidance of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Agricultural Waste as an Energy Resource
Gadkari also highlighted the potential of agricultural residues as resources for producing alternative fuels. Materials such as sugarcane bagasse, soybean waste and rice residue could be used in hydrogen production. Municipal waste was also identified as a possible resource.
The proposal is part of a broader effort to create additional income opportunities for farmers by converting agricultural by-products into commercially useful energy sources. If developed at scale, such initiatives could help connect the agricultural sector with India’s growing clean energy and transport industries.
Ethanol and Aviation Fuel Opportunities
Hydrogen is not the only alternative fuel Gadkari wants farmers to explore. He highlighted the role of ethanol production from maize, sugarcane and broken rice in creating new markets for agricultural produce.
According to the minister, the expansion of ethanol production has helped increase maize prices from around ₹1,200 to ₹2,600 per quintal in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He estimated that farmers in the two states had benefited by around ₹45,000 crore.
Gadkari also said an ethanol-powered Toyota Innova would be launched on November 26. He referred to the development of ethanol-powered two-wheelers and the possibility of producing aviation fuel from agricultural produce. Rice straw, he added, could be used to manufacture bitumen for road construction.
Reducing India’s Dependence on Petroleum Imports
Making a case for domestic alternative fuel production, Gadkari said India spends approximately ₹22 lakh crore annually on petroleum imports. Expanding the production of ethanol, hydrogen and other alternative fuels could help reduce dependence on imported petroleum while creating new revenue streams for farmers.
He expressed confidence that Uttar Pradesh could eventually move from being an energy-importing state to becoming an energy exporter.
The hydrogen proposal, however, is an announced plan, and its implementation will depend on the development of production technology, infrastructure, investment and a viable supply chain.
Road Infrastructure Push in Uttar Pradesh
Gadkari’s announcement came during his visit to Jaunpur, where he inaugurated and launched highway projects worth approximately ₹3,650 crore. The projects cover around 191.5 km in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Three completed projects worth ₹3,210 crore were dedicated to the nation. These include the 63-km Rae Bareli–Prayagraj four-lane road, the 24-km Jagatpur–Babuganj–Unchahar–Alapur bypass and bridge, and the 49-km Machhlishahr–Janghai–Bhadohi road.
Gadkari also said national highway projects worth around ₹5 lakh crore were being undertaken across Uttar Pradesh. He highlighted the importance of roads, electricity, water and telecommunications infrastructure in attracting industries and generating employment.
The combination of agricultural energy production, alternative fuels and infrastructure development, he said, could help transform Uttar Pradesh’s economy.
