The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare provided an update on India's oilseed and palm oil production initiatives through the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) and National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-OS)
The NMEO-OS was approved on 3rd October, 2024 with the objective of boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance in edible oils. The mission targets increasing primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. The mission is implemented through a cluster-based approach with over 600 Value Chain Clusters identified across the country, managed by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and other agencies. Farmers in these clusters receive free high-quality seeds of latest high-yielding varieties and training on good agricultural practices.
The mission supports the establishment and upgradation of post-harvest infrastructure including oil mills to improve oil recovery from primary and secondary sources. It strengthens certified seed availability through 100% support for breeder seed purchases, establishment of new seed hubs, and specialized seed storage units in the public sector. Productivity improvement is achieved through Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs), Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs), and Block-Level Demonstrations (BLDs).
Production Achievements and Progress
Oilseed production has increased from 39.67 million tonnes in 2023-24 to 43.06 million tonnes in 2025-26 (3rd Advance Estimate, DA&FW). During 2025-26, the mission covered 13.52 lakh hectares under free seed distribution in Value Chain Clusters, exceeding the annual target of 10.00 lakh hectares. The mission has sanctioned 60 Seed Hubs and 50 specialized seed storage units for production of Breeder Seed of recently released varieties.
Import Context
According to the Directorate of Sugar & Vegetable Oils, Department of Food and Public Distribution, India imported 160.72 lakh tonnes of edible oils during 2024–25. Palm oil constituted the largest share at 75.17 lakh tonnes, accounting for 46.77% of total edible oil imports.
National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)
The Government launched the NMEO-OP in August 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation with special focus on North Eastern States. The mission is implemented in 15 States and provides comprehensive support to farmers including assistance for high-quality planting materials, inputs for intercropping, and maintenance during the four-year gestation period. It includes provisions for replanting old and unproductive plantations, support for farm machinery, irrigation facilities, seed gardens, nurseries, and Custom Hiring Centres. North Eastern States receive financial assistance for setting up oil palm processing mills.
From 2021-22 to 2025-26, 2.73 lakh hectares were brought under oil palm cultivation, increasing the cumulative area to 6.40 lakh hectares as on 31.03.2026. During this period, 114.66 lakh tonnes of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) were harvested, resulting in production of 20.10 lakh tonnes of Crude Palm Oil (CPO). Currently, 27 oil palm processing mills are operational across the country. The mission provides Viability Gap Payment (VGP) to support oil palm growers, with ₹18.90 crore disbursed to 9,244 oil palm farmers across Goa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Mizoram.