Grow 1 Get 3 Harvests of Commercial Importance
Mukti Sadhan Basu, Ph.D
MD, SBSF Consultancy | Consultant TATA Trust | Ex. Director, ICAR | Visiting Scientist, ICRISAT | UN International Consultant, Africa.
India Aims for $1 Billion Alcoholic Beverage Exports: APEDA
The Authority says that volume will come from beverages which are more palatable taste-wise and pricewise but did not specify the basic materials to be used.
The Way Forward (Part-I):
Scope to take up Agave cultivation on barren lands in India for sustainable alcohol production.
Agave is well-suited for cultivation in barren lands due to its resilience to harsh environmental conditions, including high temperatures, poor soil quality, and minimal water requirements. It is a low-maintenance crop that can thrive in semi-arid regions, making it ideal for large tracts of uncultivated land in India. Such situations prevail in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Production of alcohol from agave:
The process involves fermenting the swollen base of the plant (Pona) to produce ethanol, which can be used for various forms of alcoholic beverages, including
a) Agave spirits: Like tequila or mezcal, India could produce its own agave-based spirits. These would offer a unique product for the domestic and international alcohol markets.
b) Bioethanol: Beyond alcoholic beverages, agave can be a source of bioethanol, contributing to India’s renewable energy and biofuel initiatives.
Specific advantages of Agave for alcohol production:
a) High Sugar Content: The core of the agave plant (Pina) has a high concentration of fermentable sugars, making it an excellent candidate for distillation into alcohol.
b) Unique Product Offering: Introducing agave-based spirits can diversify India’s alcohol portfolio. Currently, most of India’s spirits market relies on grains and sugarcane, but agave spirits could attract both domestic consumers and international markets.
c) Sustainable Agriculture: Agave requires minimal water and can be grown in areas unsuitable for other crops, reducing the environmental impact compared to water-intensive crops like sugarcane.
Economic and environmental benefits:
a) Low input costs: Agave is a hardy plant that doesn’t need frequent irrigation, fertilizers, or pesticides. Once planted, it grows for several years before harvesting (6-8 years), with minimal maintenance required during this period.
b) Utilization of barren lands: India has over 30 million hectares of degraded land, which could be partially reclaimed for Agave cultivation. This offers an economic opportunity to convert unproductive land into revenue-generating farmland.
c) Job creation: Agave cultivation, harvesting, and processing can provide employment opportunities, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas where barren land is abundant.
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d) Environmental benefits:
i) Drought resistance: Agave’s ability to thrive in arid conditions makes it a sustainable crop in areas prone to drought. It conserves water compared to water-intensive crops, like sugarcane, used for alcohol production.
ii) Cultivating agave on barren land can also aid in carbon sequestration, contributing to climate mitigation efforts.
Market potential for Agave-based alcohol in India:
a) Growing demand for alcohol: India’s alcohol market is expanding rapidly, with a CAGR of 8-10%. Consumers are showing increased interest in premium and craft spirits, which provides fertile ground for the introduction of agave-based alcoholic beverages.
b) International demand for tequila has been rising, and India can tap into this trend by producing high-quality agave spirits, positioning them as exotic alternatives in the global market.
c) Export potential: The global market for agave-based spirits is growing. India’s production could cater to both domestic demand and export markets, leveraging cost advantages and the unique Indian terroir.
d) Competitive edge: India has favorable labor costs and large tracts of available land compared to Mexico, where land for agave cultivation is becoming increasingly scarce. India could position itself as a competitive producer of agave spirits at a lower cost.
My article on the scope of Sisal (Agave sp.) in India as fibre, fuel and alcohol shared with policy makers five years ago.
Grow 1 Get 3 Harvests of Commercial Importance - A Paradigm Shift Empowering Marginal Farmers Living in Agriculturally Challenged Areas
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India Ministry of Food Processing Industries ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Dr. Mukti Sadhan Basu, MD SBSF Consultancy;
Formerly Director ICAR; Visiting Scientist ICRISAT & UNIDO International Consultant (Africa).