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Nature and EnvironmentIndia

Is India's green transition fueling a water crisis?

Danish Pandit in Maharashtra, India
September 29, 2025

India is boosting ethanol production using sugarcane to cut oil imports and pollution. But in drought-hit regions, the shift to water-intensive farming is deepening a growing water crisis for farmers.

https://p.dw.com/p/51EV6

India is accelerating its bioethanol program, aiming for 20% ethanol in petrol by 2026.

Ethanol is made from sugarcane—a water-intensive crop. With the increasing demand, farmers in the drought-prone Marathwada region in Maharashtra are turning to sugarcane farming. But critics warn that while ethanol may be providing short-term profits to farmers, it is creating water shortages.

The reporting for this story was supported by Earth Journalism Network.

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