The Union Cabinet of India has authorized the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) initiative aimed at boosting the domestic production of oilseeds and reducing dependency on imports. This mission is set to be implemented from 2024-25 to 2030-31 with a substantial financial allocation of ₹10,103 crore.
The mission will prioritize the cultivation of essential oilseed crops such as rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesame. There will also be a focus on improving the efficiency of collection and extraction from secondary oil sources including cottonseed and rice bran.
The NMEO-Oilseeds initiative represents a significant policy move by the Indian government targeting self-sufficiency in the edible oils sector, which is crucial given that India is one of the largest consumers of edible oils globally and currently relies heavily on imports for more than 50% of its annual requirements. Through targeted production strategies and robust infrastructure development, the mission seeks to empower farmers, enhance domestic profitability, and contribute towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in edible oils.