Madhya Pradesh develops hybrid sorghum for ethanol production

As India makes strides in the development of green energy & agriculture, the scientists at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (RVSKVV), Madhya Pradesh, have developed the state’s first hybrid variety of sorghum which is capable of producing ethanol.

This innovation could soon transform the nutrient-rich grain—long celebrated for its health benefits—into a key contributor to India’s biofuel sector, especially the ethanol.

The new variety, named CSV-54HB, has been developed at the university’s Horticulture Center, College of Agriculture, Indore. It not only provides nutritious food grains but also generates substantial biomass suitable for ethanol extraction, bridging the gap between food and energy production.

Highlighting its potential, RVSKVV Vice Chancellor Prof. Arvind Kumar Shukla said that the hybrid can yield around 50 tonnes of green fodder per hectare, and each tonne of dried sorghum can produce up to 360 liters of ethanol.

This translates to a total yield of 6–7 tonnes of ethanol per hectare, significantly enhancing the crop’s industrial and economic value.

Traditionally, ethanol production in India has relied heavily on sugarcane, but shrinking cultivation areas and growing sugar demand have made diversification essential. The Madhya Pradesh scientists believe that sorghum-based ethanol presents a sustainable and climate-resilient alternative. They say that sorghum crop requires less water and can thrive in semi-arid conditions.

To promote adoption, the university has started distributing CSV-54HB seeds to farmers through its Indore center and is conducting field demonstrations to showcase its benefits. With rising interest in biofuels and the government’s push for ethanol blending in petrol, the introduction of this variety is expected to boost sorghum’s market value and open new income streams for farmers.

By converting a traditional food and fodder crop into a bioenergy resource, Madhya Pradesh’s scientists have positioned sorghum as a promising link between sustainable agriculture and green energy production.

India is also focussing heavily on corn varieties production to step up the ethanol production; both the government & industry are investing heavily in the field.