PM JI-VAN Yojana: Background, Objectives, Features & More | UPSC Notes

PM JI-VAN Yojana is otherwise known as Jaiv Indhan-Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran Yojana-an initiative by the Government of India, launched in 2019. The introduction aimed to promote the utilization of agro-residue and other non-food biomass feedstock for production of bio-ethanol. This scheme aims to increase the supply of ethanol to be blended with petrol, which reduces fossil fuel dependency, increases farm income, and puts a stop to the burning of agricultural waste - a major cause of air pollution in India.

This topic is most relevant to the syllabus of UPSC General Studies Paper III, issues related to Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change. The UPSC aspirants need illumination regarding PM JI-VAN Yojana for better understanding of the national initiative towards energy solutions sustainable in nature along with the preservation of environment and rural economic development.

About PM JI-VAN Yojana

PM JI-VAN Yojana sanctioned with an aim to bring about an ecosystem towards conversion of agricultural residues into ethanol. The central government is promoting funding for the setting up of second generation (2G) ethanol bio refineries under this scheme. This not only gives a substitute source of fuel but reduces the environmental effects of stubble burning, enhances the health of soil, and adds value to the rural economy because of an additional source of revenue generation for farmers by selling their agricultural residue.

Background of PM JI-VAN Yojana

The launch of PM JI-VAN Yojana goes hand-in-hand with the involvement of India in reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing its energy security by promoting renewable sources of energy. The country imported nearly 84% of the requirement of crude oil during FY 2018-19, as indicated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, which provided an urgent need to seek alternative sources of energy. Under its National Policy on Biofuels, the government fixed 20% ethanol blending for the year 2030 so as to reduce the fossil fuel reliance of the country. In this context, the PM JI-VAN Yojana was visualized to boost ethanol production through the utilization of non-food feedstock, which encompasses agricultural residues mainly generated during harvest periods.

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Objectives of PM JI-VAN Yojana

The prime objectives of PM JI-VAN Yojana are:

• To promote ethanol production through increased ethanol from non-food biomass and raising the blending percentage of ethanol in petrol.
• To give an alternate solution for the management of agricultural residue to avoid burning of crop residues.
• Energy security by decreasing the use of imported crude oil by replacing it with domestically produced bio-ethanol.
• This will enhance the farm income of farmers since this will offer a new source of income to them through the sale of agro-residues.
• It will also reduce the air pollutants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions emanating from burning agricultural wastes as well as fossil fuels.

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Key Features of PM JI-VAN Yojana

PM JI-VAN Yojana has the following notable features which are apt to promote bio-ethanol production from agro-residues:

• Financial Support: Up to 25% of the overall cost of the project or Rs. 150 crores in case of bio-refinery for each 2G ethanol plant.
• Technology Upgradation: Establishes next-generation technologies for converting lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol.
• Bio-refineries: Commercial-scale 2G ethanol projects to be set up in the country 12 and demonstration-scale 10 projects.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP): It facilitates public-private partnerships to encourage investment and innovation in biorefinery.
• Infrastructure Development: Improve rural infrastructure to collect, transport, and store agricultural residues.

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Implementation of PM JI-VAN Yojana

Implementing PM JI-VAN Yojana requires cooperation amongst different stakeholders

• Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG): Is the nodal agency for administrative and oversight functions.
• Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Industrial Players: Will implement development and operation of the bio-refineries, including in partnership with and support of the government.
• Farmers: Will supply agricultural residues on an assured-to-market basis.
• State Governments: Supports by way of land development and infrastructure creation and facilitate policies that help to promote the idea of establishing bio-refineries.

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Benefits of PM JI-VAN Yojana

The PM JI-VAN Yojana has numerous advantages:

• Green Benefits: It reduces the emission of greenhouse gases as well as air pollution because agricultural residues that burn do not reach the atmosphere in its full potential.
• Economic Gains: Surplus money will go into the hands of farmers, and rural development will also take a faster turn as more scopes of employment get generated in bio-refinery projects.
• Energy Security: It reduces dependence on imported crude oil by enhancing the domestic production of bio-ethanol, thus improving energy security.
• Agricultural Benefits: The activity prevents stubble burning and encourages sustainable agricultural practices, thereby improving soil health.
• Technological Advancement: It helps in promoting the development and deployment of modern bio-refinery technologies, making India a forerunner in 2G ethanol production.

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Challenges Faced by PM JI-VAN Yojana

Despite such a promising outlook, PM JI-VAN Yojana has many challenges before it.

• High Capital Costs: The technology for the ethanol plants 2G requires considerable amounts of capital investment, which has been a barrier for the private sector to enter the fray to date.
• Feedstock Supply Chain: Supply of reliable and consistent agricultural residues demand logistics and infrastructural problems to be sorted out
• Technological Barriers: Scaling up of advanced bio-refinery technologies at commercial scales is difficult as adaptation continues to require innovation.
• Policy and Regulatory Barriers: Conflicting state policies and varying regulatory structures impact the implementation process and influence investors.
• Market Conditions: Erratic crude oil prices coupled with volatile market demand for bio-ethanol also influence the profitability and sustainability of bio-refineries.

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Ethanol Blending in India

Ethanol blending is a part and parcel of India's energy policy to curtail the use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gases. So far, the government has set a target to reach 20% blending of ethanol from India by 2025. It is a challenging and ambitious goal under the National Policy on Biofuels. Therefore, PM JI-VAN Yojana has been an important scheme in this direction since it has helped the country increase ethanol production manifold from agriculture residues as well as other non-food biomass. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has a data record showing a blend of 10% of ethanol with petrol in 2022 alone saved around Rs. 40,000 crore of foreign exchange. Increased blending will further reduce carbon emissions and deliver cleaner fuel for the transportation sector.

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Conclusion

PM JI-VAN Yojana is a transformative initiative that fits the bill for India's effort towards renewable energy, reduction in pollution for a healthy environment, and proper improvement for livelihoods in the rural sector. The scheme, while in focus on the generation of bio-ethanol from agricultural residues, critically deals with issues of waste management, air pollution, and energy security. Operational challenges, public-private partnerships, and policy coherence will make full potential realization of this scheme possible. As India steps ahead to meet its ambitious ethanol blending targets, PM JI-VAN Yojana becomes the cornerstone for the country's sustainable energy strategy to drive forward a cleaner and greener future.

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