The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils.
Aim of the mission
- To increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. To make India self-reliant in oilseed production in the next 7 years.
BackGround
- The country is heavily reliant on imports which account for 57% of its domestic demand for edible oils.
- To address this dependency and promote self-sufficiency, the Government of India has undertaken a series of measures to enhance domestic production of edible oils, including the launch of National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) with an outlay of Rs 11,040 crore to boost oil palm cultivation in the country in 2021.
- In addition, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mandated edible oilseeds has been significantly increased to ensure remunerative prices to the oilseed farmers.
- The continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) ensures that oilseed farmers receive MSP through price support scheme and price deficiency payment scheme.
- Besides, 20% import duty on edible oils has been imposed to protect domestic producers from cheap imports and encourage local cultivation.
Objective: To boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils.
Implementation Period: The mission will be executed over a seven-year span from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
Financial Outlay: The mission has a total financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.
Key Goals of the Mission
- Increase Oilseed Production
- Targeting an increase in primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31.
- Together with NMEO-OP (Oil Palm), it aims to produce 25.45 million tonnes of domestic edible oil, meeting around 72% of projected domestic requirements.
- Focus on Key Crops
- Enhancing production of key oilseed crops: Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, and Sesamum.
- Increasing collection and extraction efficiency from secondary sources like Cottonseed, Rice Bran, and Tree Borne Oils.
- Adoption of High-Yielding Varieties
- Promoting the use of high-yielding, high oil content seed varieties.
- Extending cultivation into rice fallow areas and promoting intercropping.
- Use of Modern Technologies
- Harnessing global technologies, including genome editing, for high-quality seed development.
- Online Seed Plan
- Introduction of an Online 5-year rolling seed plan via the ‘Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI)’ Portal.
- States can establish advance tie-ups with seed-producing agencies (cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations, government, or private corporations).
- Seed Production Infrastructure
- Establishment of 65 new seed hubs and 50 seed storage units in the public sector.
Value Chain and Farmer Support
- Development of over 600 Value Chain Clusters across 347 unique districts, covering more than 10 lakh hectares annually.
- Managed by value chain partners (FPOs (Farmer Producer Organization), cooperatives, public/private entities).
- Access to high-quality seeds, training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and advisory services on weather and pest management.
Expansion and Support
- The Mission also seeks to expand oilseed cultivation by an additional 40 lakh hectares by targeting rice and potato fallow lands, promoting intercropping, and promoting crop diversification.
- Support will be extended to FPOs, cooperatives, and industry players to establish or upgrade post-harvest units, enhancing recovery from sources such as cottonseed, rice bran, corn oil, and Tree-Borne Oils (TBOs).
Awareness
- The Mission will promote awareness of recommended dietary guidelines for edible oils through an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign.
Expected Benefits
- Aims to significantly boost domestic oilseed production, reducing import dependency.
- Contributes to conserving foreign exchange and enhancing farmers’ incomes.
- Promotes low water usage, improves soil health, and utilizes crop fallow areas productively.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production |
| Mission Aim | To increase domestic oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. |
| Financial Outlay | Rs 10,103 crore |
| Implementation Period | 7 years (2024-25 to 2030-31) |
| Current Reliance on Imports | India imports 57% of its edible oils to meet domestic demand. |
| Key Goals | - Increase oilseed production to achieve self-reliance in edible oils.
- Focus on oilseed crops: Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, Sesamum.
- Produce 25.45 million tonnes of edible oil to meet 72% of projected domestic requirements (in combination with NMEO-OP).
|
| Technologies | - Adoption of high-yielding varieties and modern technologies (e.g., genome editing).
- Introduction of an online 5-year rolling seed plan through SATHI Portal
|
| Seed Production Infrastructure | Establish 65 new seed hubs and 50 seed storage units in the public sector. |