- Establishment of the Mission:
- The National Mission on Edible Oils and Oilseeds was set up in 2021 with the goal of achieving self-reliance in edible oils over the course of seven years.
- Challenges in Achieving Self-Reliance:
- Despite the mission’s establishment, India remains highly dependent on imports for edible oils, which are essential for the domestic market.
- Indigenous production of oilseeds and edible oils has increased, but the growth rate has not kept pace with the rise in demand.
- Growth vs. Demand Gap:
- Since 2006-07, the output of edible oils has increased by only 2.2% per year, while demand has grown at nearly double the pace—4.3% annually.
- The annual import bill for edible oils has surged from $2.2 billion to over $15 billion, making edible oils the third-largest import item for India, after crude oil and gold.
- Impact of the 1986 Technology Mission on Oilseeds (TMO):
- The first Technology Mission on Oilseeds (TMO), launched in 1986, achieved significant results by giving the mission full autonomy to make policy decisions without bureaucratic interference.
- However, the mission’s success was diluted when the focus was broadened to include the production of pulses, adding additional burdens and reducing its effectiveness in raising oilseed production.
- Dependence on Imports:
- India’s overwhelming dependence on imports for essential cooking oils is concerning, especially since the bulk of these imports are palm oil and its derivatives, sourced mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia.
- The high reliance on just two countries for such a critical commodity makes India vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
