Gadkari said that in the last 10 years, the sugar mills have generated revenue of more than 940 billions Rupees from the sale of ethanol. "The production of ethanol has led to reduction in import of crude oil, which has resulted in saving of valuable foreign exchange for India. In the last year only India has saved about 243 billion Rupees of foreign exchange and improved Indias energy security scenario," he said.
With sugar prices ruling below cost of production of the mills, the diversion of sugarcane products for ethanol production helps sugar mills to maintain a steady income.