Policy Initiatives for enhancing domestic availability of vegetable oils in India

Abstract

Oilseeds, the backbone of several agricultural economies from classical times assume a prominent role by providing access to nutrition through protein and oil to humans and livestock beside usage in the industrial sector and also a life line for providing livelihood and employment to those involved in the processing sector. The country which evidenced self-sufficiency in oilseeds during early nineties and ultimately gained the status of the world's largest importer, with import of 14.28 million tonnes during 2021-22. Compound Annual Growth Rates was used to assess the performance of annual oilseeds during 2000-01 to 2020-21. It was evidenced that the CAGR was positive for all the components. The power of technology operational at the farm level, paved way for sustained production, which is due to the technology outputs from the NARES/AICRP on oilseeds besides the driving forces initiated by the Government of India. For further reducing import dependency, policy instruments viz. Seed production, technology assemblage, linkages and convergence, providing incentives, promoting PMFME.