In a landmark decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the Union Cabinet’s approval of the National Mission on Edible Oils—Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). PM Modi described the move as a “major step towards achieving Atmanirbharta (self-reliance)” in India’s edible oil production sector, a significant initiative aimed at reducing the country’s dependency on oilseed imports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his views in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The Cabinet’s approval for the National Mission on Edible Oils—Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) is a major step towards Atmanirbharta. This mission will boost domestic oilseed production, support hardworking farmers, and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.”
The National Mission on Edible Oils—Oilseeds, which received Cabinet approval on Thursday, is a transformative step for India’s agricultural landscape. The initiative aims to substantially boost the country's oilseed production and address the growing domestic demand for edible oils. India currently imports nearly 60% of its edible oil requirements, and this mission is expected to significantly reduce this dependency.
As per the official statement, the mission is set to be executed over a span of seven years, starting from 2024-25 and continuing until 2030-31, with an allocated budget of Rs 10,103 crore. This financial backing underscores the government’s commitment to making India self-reliant in edible oils and oilseeds.
The objective of the mission is to boost India's primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. The focus will be on oilseeds like rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesame. Additionally, the mission will promote better utilization of secondary sources such as cottonseed, rice bran, and tree-borne oils through improved collection and extraction methods.
Along with the National Mission on Edible Oils—Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), this initiative aims to raise domestic edible oil production to 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31, covering around 72% of the country’s projected domestic demand for edible oils. This is a significant step in addressing the increasing reliance on imported oils.
One of the mission’s primary goals is to expand oilseed cultivation by an additional 40 lakh hectares, which will be achieved through:
Adoption of high-yield, high-oil-content seed varieties.
Expanding cultivation into fallow areas.
Promoting intercropping practices to maximize yield.
To ensure high-quality seed availability, the mission will introduce the “Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI)” Portal. This portal will facilitate collaboration between states and seed-producing agencies to ensure a seamless supply chain. Additionally, the government will establish 65 new seed hubs and develop 50 seed storage units to enhance seed production infrastructure.
To further strengthen the edible oil value chain, the mission will create over 600 value chain clusters across 347 districts, covering 10 lakh hectares annually. These clusters, managed by cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and public-private partnerships, will provide farmers with high-quality seeds and training on sustainable agricultural practices.
Additionally, the government plans to expand post-harvest infrastructure and encourage oil recovery from sources like cottonseed, rice bran, and corn oil.
The Indian government has already taken several steps to support domestic oilseed producers and encourage local cultivation. These include the imposition of a 20% import duty on edible oils and a substantial increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds. Through the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), the government will ensure that oilseed farmers receive MSP via price support and price deficiency schemes, securing their income and boosting agricultural productivity.
With the approval of the National Mission on Edible Oils—Oilseeds, India takes a significant step towards self-sufficiency in edible oil production. By focusing on boosting domestic oilseed production, supporting farmers, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, the mission aligns with the country’s broader goal of achieving Atmanirbharta.