Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet has given the green light to the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) on October 3, 2024. The initiative seeks to catapult India towards becoming a self-sufficient powerhouse in edible oil production, fostering the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India).
The new mission aims to significantly increase domestic oilseed production from the current 39 million tonnes to a staggering 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31.
The strategic push aims to meet 72% of the domestic edible oil requirement and focuses on enhancing the production of primary oilseeds like Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, and Sesamum, alongside improving extraction efficiencies from secondary sources such as Cottonseed, Rice Bran, and tree-borne oils.
A critical component of this mission is introducing an innovative Online 5-year rolling seed plan through the ‘Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI)’ Portal. This digital platform is meant to ensure that states can efficiently plan and procure seeds, fostering a partnership between the government, cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and private seed corporations.
The ambitious initiative is designed to boost production and elevate the quality and availability of seeds, directly impacting farmer incomes and agricultural productivity.
The government is allocating Rs 10,103 crore for this mission, which, combined with the earlier launched National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), indicates a holistic approach towards edible oil security. The NMEO-OP, with its focus on oil palm cultivation, complements the current initiative by broadening the base of oil production sources within India.
This dual-mission approach reflects India’s strategic plan towards sustainable agriculture and reducing its import bill, which has historically been significant due to edible oil imports. By enhancing domestic production, India aims to save foreign exchange and provide a buffer against global price volatility, ensuring stable prices for consumers.