New Delhi: On the occasion of World Earth Day 2025, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called for a paradigm shift in India’s agricultural sector. Speaking at the ‘Save the Earth Conclave’ in New Delhi, he urged that Indian farmers should evolve from being mere ‘Annadatas’ (food providers) to becoming ‘Urjadatas’ (energy providers), playing a key role in India’s transition to clean energy and economic self-reliance.
“To stop the import of petroleum worth Rs 22 lakh crore, the ‘Annadata’ must now become ‘Urjadata’. By protecting the environment and strengthening the economy, I firmly believe that in the next five years, our energy-importing country will definitely become an energy-exporting nation,” said Gadkari.
The Minister emphasized the transformative potential of biofuels, ethanol, and green hydrogen, asserting that Indian farmers, by utilizing agricultural waste and surplus crops, could play a central role in this revolution.
“By producing ethanol and other green fuels from agricultural waste and surplus crops, farmers can contribute not only to the national economy but also to the preservation of the environment,” he added.
💡 Focus on Rural Development and Renewable Energy
Gadkari voiced concerns about urban migration and its impact on rural development, linking it to global agricultural pricing systems and India’s high energy import bills.
“Due to the increasing migration to cities, rural areas are facing deprivation. Agriculture has become global, and local farm produce prices are determined by global markets. The country’s largest expenditure is on petroleum imports, amounting to 22 lakh crore. This expenditure must be permanently stopped, and I want to put 10 lakh crore of it into farmers’ pockets. This will increase agriculture’s GDP to 23 per cent, boosting purchasing power,” he explained.
He further shared insights on the government’s project in Delhi and surrounding regions to produce energy from burning parthenium (a weed), while noting the strategic reclassification of bamboo as grass—an environmentally significant step.
“This is an effort to create wealth from waste… Now, bamboo will become a major tool for both environmental protection and energy production,” he said.
🔥 Bamboo as a Game-Changer in Clean Energy
Gadkari highlighted bamboo’s potential in producing white charcoal and hydrogen, asserting that it could meet the surging demand of India’s thermal power sector.
“The demand for thermal power plants is so high that even if thousands or even crores of farmers come together, it may not meet the coal requirements of these plants.”
He reiterated his vision of converting India into a green energy hub:
“Green hydrogen is the future of India, and it will truly shape India as a global leader and a super economy.”
He also made a philosophical appeal:
“Eyes can be donated for sight, but vision cannot be donated.”
🌍 India’s Green Future and Global Responsibility
The minister praised Pasha Patel, popularly known as the “Bambu Man”, for his 50-year-long dedication to agriculture. Patel, in his address, urged mass bamboo cultivation as a sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practice.
“There is no alternative to bamboo cultivation to save the planet,” said Patel.
Former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu also addressed the gathering, drawing attention to global inaction on climate change:
“Even after the IPCC report, little effort has been made globally to address the climate change crisis… The Earth, crying out due to the climate crisis, is now weeping.”
The event titled “Save the Earth Conclave—Special Focus on Bamboo Sector”, was held at Subramaniam Auditorium in New Delhi. It was hosted by Phoenix Foundation, Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, and supported by institutions including Bharti Institute of Public Policy (ISB), African-Asian Rural Development Organization, and The Foundation for MSME Clusters.