State oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa) is to manufacture environmentally friendly gasoline based on ethanol from sugar cane. In this regard, the establishment of about 14 sugar plants and a 300,000-hectare plantation are anticipated by 2012.

Pdvsa framed the project linking the agricultural industry and the hydrocarbons sector, resulting in more than one million direct and indirect jobs, according to a press release issued by Prensa Latina.

Plans include also nationwide overhaul of refineries, ABN reported.

The use of eco-friendly gasoline minimizes the impact of gases on the environment by replacing lead tetraethyl. Pdvsa sources explained that ethanol production helps the company meet the ecological requirement as part of the efforts towards better quality of life.