Cabinet approves ₹10,103 crore National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds to achieve self-reliance by 2030

New Delhi: To bolster domestic oilseed production, the Union Cabinet has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). The initiative, with a budget of ₹10,103 crore, aims to make India self-reliant in edible oils by 2030, covering the period from 2024-25 to 2030-31.

The mission will focus on increasing the output of primary oilseed crops, including rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesamum. It also aims to enhance extraction efficiency from secondary sources like cottonseed, rice bran, and tree-borne oils. 

The goal is to raise primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by the end of the mission period. In collaboration with the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), the initiative intends to achieve a domestic edible oil output of 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31, which would cover around 72% of the expected national demand.

To facilitate the timely supply of quality seeds, the NMEO-Oilseeds will introduce an online 5-year rolling seed plan through the SATHI Portal (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory). This platform will help states coordinate with various seed-producing agencies, including cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Additionally, the initiative plans to establish 65 new seed hubs and 50 seed storage units in the public sector to enhance seed production capabilities.

Over 600 value chain clusters will be developed across 347 districts, covering more than 1 million hectares annually. These clusters will connect farmers with high-quality seeds, training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and guidance on weather and pest management.

Moreover, the mission aims to expand oilseed cultivation by an additional 4 million hectares by utilizing fallow lands previously used for rice and potatoes, promoting intercropping, and encouraging diversification of crops. The government will also support FPOs and cooperatives in creating or upgrading post-harvest facilities to improve recovery from sources like cottonseed and rice bran.

An Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign will be launched to inform the public about recommended dietary guidelines for edible oils, further contributing to the mission’s objectives.

This initiative seeks to significantly reduce India’s reliance on imports, which currently fulfill 57% of the country’s edible oil demand. By increasing domestic production, the government aims to save foreign exchange, improve farmers’ incomes, and promote environmental sustainability through reduced water usage and better soil health.

In previous efforts, the government introduced the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) with a budget of ₹11,040 crore to encourage oil palm cultivation. To support local oilseed farmers, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key edible oilseeds has been raised, ensuring they receive fair prices. Additionally, a 20% import duty on edible oils has been implemented to safeguard domestic producers from low-cost imports and stimulate local cultivation.