Source: PIB
Context: 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 in edible oils.
About National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)
- Origin: Announced in 2024 as part of India’s broader self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) agenda.
- To promote self-reliance, the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was launched in 2021 with an outlay of Rs 11,040 crore.
- Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
- Funds: Total outlay of Rs 10,103 crore (Central Share: Rs 7,150 crore; State Share: Rs 2,953 crore).
- Aims:
- Increase domestic oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31.
- Reduce dependence on edible oil imports, targeting 25.45 million tonnes of domestic production by 2030-31.
- Boost production of key oilseeds like rapeseed, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesame.
- Promote cultivation of oilseeds on fallow lands and enhance intercropping practices.
- Utilize modern technologies like genome editing to boost seed quality and production.
- Key features:
- Introduction of Aadhaar-authenticated e-vouchers for EV buyers to ease the demand incentive process.
- Allocation of Rs 500 crore for promoting e-ambulances.
- Creation of 65 seed hubs and 50 storage units to improve seed infrastructure.
- Formation of over 600 Value Chain Clusters across 347 districts, covering over 10 lakh hectares annually.
- Expansion of oilseed cultivation in rice and potato fallow lands by 40 lakh hectares.
- Enhancement of post-harvest infrastructure to extract more oil from sources like cottonseed and rice bran.
- Mission will introduce SATHI Portal enabling States to coordinate with stakeholders for timely availability of quality seeds
- Current status:
- India relies on imports for 57% of its edible oil demand.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds has been significantly increased to ensure better prices for farmers.
- The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) supports farmers through price support and deficiency payment schemes.
- A 20% import duty on edible oils has been imposed to protect domestic producers and promote local cultivation.
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