India, Brazil discuss ethanol production, agriculture

NEW DELHI - India has discussed the possibility of ethanol production with Brazil during the current visit of the Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to the South American giant.

A press release issued here by the agriculture ministry Tuesday said that the minister held bilateral meetings with his Brazilian counterpart, Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Wagner Rossi.

“Both sides discussed the matters of mutual interest including the possibilities of cooperation in production of ethanol and investment in agriculture during the meeting,” said the note.

Pawar had led a 13-member delegation to South America to look at cooperation opportunities in South America. He was earlier in Argentina.

The delegation met directors of the Brazilian sugarcane industry association at Sao Paulo, where they saw a presentation on Brazilian sugar and ethanol industry.

Besides, Pawar laid the foundation stone for the Biopav mill expansion project of India’s top sugar refiner, Shree Renuka Sugars. After two acquisitions in Brazil, Shree Renuka Sugars is among the top five sugar producers in the South American country.

The delegation also visited the General Motors plant to study cars run on alternate fuels.