New Delhi, August : The Government of India has intensified efforts to achieve self-reliance in edible oils through the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) and the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), with oilseed production increasing to 43.06 million tonnes in 2025-26 and oil palm cultivation expanding significantly across the country.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, said the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) was approved on October 3, 2024, with the objective of boosting domestic oilseed production and advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in edible oils. The mission aims to increase India's primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31.

The mission is being implemented through a cluster-based approach, with more than 600 Value Chain Clusters identified across the country. These clusters are managed by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and other agencies, which provide farmers with free high-quality seeds of newly released high-yielding varieties, training on improved agricultural practices, and technical support.

To strengthen the oilseed value chain, the mission also supports the establishment and modernization of post-harvest infrastructure, including oil mills, to improve oil recovery from primary and secondary sources. It further promotes the availability of quality planting material through 100 percent financial support for breeder seed procurement, establishment of new Seed Hubs, and specialised seed storage facilities in the public sector.

The government stated that the mission focuses on improving productivity through Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs), Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs), and Block-Level Demonstrations (BLDs), enabling farmers to adopt improved crop varieties and scientific cultivation practices.

According to the Third Advance Estimates of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India's oilseed production increased from 39.67 million tonnes in 2023-24 to 43.06 million tonnes in 2025-26. During 2025-26, 13.52 lakh hectares were covered under the free seed distribution programme within Value Chain Clusters, surpassing the annual target of 10 lakh hectares. The government also sanctioned 60 Seed Hubs and 50 specialised seed storage units for breeder seed production of recently released varieties.

Despite these gains, India continues to rely significantly on edible oil imports. As per the Directorate of Sugar & Vegetable Oils under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the country imported 160.72 lakh tonnes of edible oils during 2024-25, of which 75.17 lakh tonnes were palm oil, accounting for 46.77 percent of the total edible oil imports.

To reduce import dependence, the Government launched the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in August 2021, with special emphasis on expanding oil palm cultivation in the North Eastern States. The mission is currently being implemented in 15 States and provides comprehensive support for high-quality planting materials, intercropping inputs, maintenance during the crop's four-year gestation period, replanting of old plantations, irrigation facilities, farm machinery, nurseries, seed gardens, and Custom Hiring Centres.

The mission also provides financial assistance for establishing oil palm processing mills in the North Eastern Region to strengthen the value chain and improve processing capacity.

Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, around 2.73 lakh hectares were brought under oil palm cultivation, increasing the country's cumulative oil palm area to 6.40 lakh hectares as of March 31, 2026. During this period, farmers harvested 114.66 lakh tonnes of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs), resulting in the production of 20.10 lakh tonnes of Crude Palm Oil (CPO).

Currently, 27 oil palm processing mills are operational across India. To support growers during periods of lower market prices, the mission provides Viability Gap Payment (VGP). So far, ₹18.90 crore has been disbursed to 9,244 oil palm farmers across Goa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Mizoram under the scheme.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.