In a move toward achieving self-reliance in edible oils, the Union Cabinet has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). This mission will introduce the SATHI Portal and also aims to enhance domestic oilseed production over a seven-year period from 2024-25 to 2030-31, backed by a substantial financial outlay of ₹10,103 crore.
The NMEO-Oilseeds seeks to increase the production of primary oilseed crops such as Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower and Sesamum. Additionally, it aims to improve collection and extraction efficiency from secondary sources, including Cottonseed, Rice Bran and Tree Borne Oils. The mission targets raising primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to an ambitious 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. Together with the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), the initiative aims to boost domestic edible oil production to 25.45 million tonnes, fulfilling approximately 72% of the country’s projected demand.
The initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity by encouraging the adoption of high-yielding, high-oil content seed varieties, expanding cultivation into rice fallow areas, and promoting intercropping practices. The Mission will leverage advancements in high-quality seed development through innovative global technologies, including genome editing.
Central to this mission is the introduction of the SATHI Portal (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory), which will facilitate a five-year rolling seed plan. This online platform will enable states to collaborate with seed-producing agencies—ranging from cooperatives to private corporations—to ensure timely access to high-quality seeds. The government plans to establish 65 new seed hubs and 50 seed storage units to bolster seed production infrastructure.
To further amplify oilseed cultivation, the mission will develop over 600 Value Chain Clusters across 347 districts, covering more than 10 lakh hectares annually. These clusters will be managed by value chain partners, including Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives. Farmers within these clusters will benefit from high-quality seeds, training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and access to advisory services focused on weather and pest management.
The initiative also aims to expand oilseed cultivation into an additional 40 lakh hectares, targeting rice and potato fallow lands while promoting inter cropping and crop diversification strategies. Support will extend to FPOs and cooperatives in upgrading post-harvest units, enhancing recovery rates from sources like cottonseed, rice bran, corn oil and Tree-Borne Oils (TBOs).
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The overarching goal of the NMEO-Oilseeds is to significantly bolster domestic oilseed production, thereby advancing India’s journey towards self-reliance in edible oils. This mission is poised to reduce the country’s dependency on imports—currently at 57% of domestic demand—conserving valuable foreign exchange while also enhancing farmers’ incomes. Moreover, the initiative is expected to yield environmental benefits through reduced water usage and improved soil health by making productive use of fallow crop areas.
This mission builds on previous efforts, including the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) launched in 2021, which saw an outlay of ₹11,040 crore aimed at boosting oil palm cultivation. Measures such as increased Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for oilseeds and the imposition of a 20% import duty on edible oils further underscore the government’s commitment to protecting domestic producers.
With the launch of the National Mission on Edible Oils, the Indian government is taking a bold step toward achieving self-reliance in edible oils, ensuring a sustainable future for farmers and consumers alike. In an effort to promote public awareness, the mission will launch an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to disseminate recommended dietary guidelines for edible oils.
