Government Approves National Mission on Edible Oils- Oilseeds, ₹10,103 Crore Allocated

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). The primary objective of this mission is to enhance oilseed production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils. The mission will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of ₹10,103 crore. The goal is to increase domestic edible oil production by approximately 25.45 million tons by 2030-31, thereby meeting around 72 percent of the country’s estimated domestic demand.

Target: 69.7 Million Tons of Oilseed Production by 2030:

The mission will concentrate on increasing the production of key oilseeds, including rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, sesame, and cottonseed. It will also enhance collection and extraction efficiency from secondary sources such as cottonseed, rice bran, corn oil, and tree-borne oils. The objective is to boost oilseed production from 39 million tons in 2022-23 to nearly 69.7 million tons by 2030-31.

Expanding Oilseed Cultivation by 4 Million Hectares:

To ensure the timely availability of high-quality seeds, a five-year seed plan will be implemented through the ‘SATHI’ portal. This will facilitate states in establishing advance collaborations with cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and government or private seed-producing agencies. The mission aims to increase the area under oilseed cultivation by 4 million hectares, focusing on fallow lands previously used for rice and potato cultivation. Additionally, intercropping will be promoted to encourage crop diversification.

Establishing Over 600 Value Chain Clusters for Farmers:

The mission will establish more than 600 value chain clusters across 347 districts, covering over 1 million hectares of farmland. These clusters will be managed by FPOs, cooperatives, and public or private entities. Farmers within these clusters will receive high-quality seeds, training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and advisory services regarding weather and pest management.

Mission Benefits:

Achieving self-reliance in edible oils through this mission will reduce dependence on imports, increase farmers’ incomes, and save foreign exchange. Additionally, the mission is expected to offer environmental benefits by promoting better soil health and the efficient use of fallow land with reduced water consumption.