Malaysia and India discuss increased cooperation in edible palm oil

New Delhi: Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation & Commodities, visited New Delhi to bolster bilateral relations with India. On his first visit to the country, Minister Johari met with his Indian counterpart, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, at a G2G meeting held at Krishi Bhavan.

The primary agenda of the meeting was to support India’s efforts to become “Atmanirbhar” (self-reliant) in edible oil security. The ministers engaged in detailed discussions on various key issues, including the formulation of consistent export policies, joint initiatives to address global food security, and India’s ambitious goals to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil production under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).

The conversation also emphasized the importance of sustainable palm oil plantations and Malaysia’s ongoing support to meet India’s palm oil requirements. “Malaysia stands ready to provide invaluable support, encouraging the growth of oil palm cultivation,” said Minister Johari during a press meet in New Delhi. “India’s importance to Malaysia’s oil palm sector cannot be understated. Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and I have envisioned a partnership that benefits both our nations. This partnership will also meaningfully contribute towards achieving global food security needs and sustainability goals.”

Palm oil, noted for its efficiency in productivity and land use, occupies less than 8% of the global agricultural land dedicated to all crops but contributes 32% to major seed oil production. In light of global concerns about climate change and deforestation, palm oil is positioned to meet the rising demand for edible oils efficiently. 

Minister Johari further highlighted, “Malaysia is deeply committed to sustainable palm oil production, adhering to stringent environmental standards and sustainable practices. The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme ensures that palm oil is produced sustainably, safeguarding forests, biodiversity, and local communities.”

Palm oil is the most consumed edible oil in India, accounting for roughly 36% of the total oils and fats consumed in the country. Minister Johari stressed the importance of addressing the negative perception and baseless accusations against palm oil, suggesting that India and Malaysia could work together to inform consumers about the product’s benefits.

For over 14 years, India has been the largest buyer of Malaysian palm oil. The per capita consumption of oils and fats in India has risen from 15.8 kg to 19 kg in the last decade, representing an additional consumption of 7.34 million metric tonnes.