The Union Cabinet has earlier approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)—a major initiative aimed at increasing domestic production of oilseeds and reducing the country’s dependence on imported edible oils. The Mission is set to run from 2024–25 to 2030–31, backed by a financial commitment of Rs 10,103 cr. Also, NMEO-Oilseeds focuses on scaling up the cultivation of key oilseed crops such as rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesame. It also aims to boost oil extraction from secondary sources like cottonseed, rice bran, and tree-borne oils. The goal is to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonne (2022–23) to 69.7 million tonne by 2030–31. When combined with targets from the NMEO-Oil Palm mission, India hopes to produce 25.45 million tonne of edible oil domestically, covering around 72 per cent of the projected national demand. Sudhakar Rao Desai, CEO, Emami Agrotech, therefore discusses strategies to align the oilseed sector with India’s broader goal of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), thereby reducing dependency on imports.

Do you think India is currently self-reliant in oilseed production? 

Not yet. Despite being an agrarian economy, India still imports close to 60 per cent of its edible oil needs. This significant dependency stems from a persistent gap between domestic production and rising consumption. It is a reflection of deeper structural challenges—low yields, shrinking acreage, and less favourable crop economics. Self-reliance here is not just a goal—it is a strategic imperative for food and trade security.

What are the main challenges preventing self-reliance?

The roadblocks are well-known: productivity levels are 30–50 per cent below global averages, improved seed varieties are limited, and water stress continues to affect farming decisions. Moreover, oilseeds often lose out to crops like pulses, wheat, and cereals, where the support ecosystem is more robust and predictable. A level playing field for oilseeds is essential.

How serious is the impact of oilseed imports on India’s economy and farmers?

With an annual foreign exchange outflow exceeding Rs 1.25 lakh crore, oil imports are a heavy burden on our trade balance. They also expose India to global market volatility. For farmers, this translates into uncertainty—international price crashes can deflate domestic prices, making cultivation risky unless backed by strong institutional support.

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