The Government has implemented the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the primary objective of increasing oil palm cultivation area and productivity to enhance domestic edible oil production and reduce import dependence. Launched in 2021-22 with a total financial outlay of ₹11,040 crore, including a Government of India share of ₹8,844 crore, the mission targeted bringing 6.5 lakh hectares under oil palm cultivation during the five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The mission is being implemented across 15 states: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura. Key interventions include assistance for planting material, plantation maintenance, intercropping, drip irrigation, farm machinery, replanting, establishment of seed gardens and nurseries, and development of oil palm processing infrastructure. A price assurance mechanism for farmers through Viability Gap Payment (VGP) is also provided.
During the implementation period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, a total area of 2.73 lakh hectares was brought under oil palm cultivation, representing significant progress toward the 6.5 lakh hectare target. The Government of India released ₹1,447.21 crore to implementing states under various mission components during this period. For the subsequent year 2026-27, Annual Action Plans have been approved for ₹1,143.9 crore.
Additionally, the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) was launched on October 3, 2024, for a seven-year period from 2024-25 to 2030-31 to boost domestic oilseed production and strive toward self-sufficiency in edible oil. This mission promotes production of improved indigenous varieties and hybrids of oilseeds through 100% support for breeder seed purchase and distribution of certified seeds in Value Chain Clusters. The initiative has sanctioned 60 Seed Hubs and 50 specialized seed storage units for production of breeder seeds of recently released varieties.