- Recent ethanol tenders have sparked feedstock concerns as rice gains ground over maize, creating a debate between energy security and food security. - The pivot towards utilizing rice (including surplus FCI rice) as a feedstock for ethanol production raises questions regarding food inflation, grain allocation, and sustainable cropping patterns. - Balancing India's ambitious green energy targets (such as ethanol blending mandates) with agricultural resource management is critical for policymakers. - **Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP):** An initiative by the Government of India to blend biofuels with petrol, aiming to reduce crude oil imports, save foreign exchange, and lower carbon emissions through grain and sugarcane feedstocks. - **Food Corporation of India (FCI):** A statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution responsible for procuring food grains, maintaining buffer stocks, and distributing them for the Public Distribution System (PDS). **Introduction** The article discusses the emerging feedstock concerns in India's ethanol blending program as rice gains preference over maize in recent tenders. This dynamic brings to the fore the delicate balance between achieving green energy/fuel blending targets and maintaining domestic food security, buffer stocks, and stable agricultural prices. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - Recent ethanol tenders have sparked feedstock concerns as rice gains ground over maize, creating a debate between energy security and food security. - The pivot towards utilizing rice (including surplus FCI rice) as a feedstock for ethanol production raises questions regarding food inflation, grain allocation, and sustainable cropping patterns. - Balancing India's ambitious green energy targets (such as ethanol blending mandates) with agricultural resource management is critical for policymakers. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP):** An initiative by the Government of India to blend biofuels with petrol, aiming to reduce crude oil imports, save foreign exchange, and lower carbon emissions through grain and sugarcane feedstocks. - **Food Corporation of India (FCI):** A statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution responsible for procuring food grains, maintaining buffer stocks, and distributing them for the Public Distribution System (PDS).