In response to Unstarred Question No. 653 regarding edible oil security, the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Shri Ramnath Thakur) stated the following: The area under oilseed cultivation has increased from 301.92 lakh hectares in 2023-24 to 304.40 lakh hectares in 2024–25. The production of oilseeds has also increased from 396.69 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 429.89 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) was approved on October 3rd, 2024, to boost domestic oilseed production and move towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils. Minimum Support Price (MSP) and import tariffs are being implemented to ensure fair prices for farmers, protect them from market fluctuations, reduce dependence on imports and encourage higher domestic production of edible oils. Procurement under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme also covers oilseeds and helps farmers get better prices and income support.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS): A mission to boost domestic oilseed production and move towards self-reliance in edible oils.
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA): A scheme for procurement that also covers oilseeds and helps farmers get better prices and income support.
Minimum Support Price (MSP): A price support mechanism for farmers to ensure fair prices, protect them from market fluctuations.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The ministry responsible for addressing the question related to edible oil security.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 653
TO BE ANSWERED ON 3RD FEBRUARY, 2026
EDIBLE OIL SECURITY
653. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the farmers are rapidly shifting from oilseeds to maize due to low domestic
oilseed prices, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the same has been noted in the June 30, 2025 Ministry report despite the
Government's goal of oil self-reliance; and
(c) the reasons for the urgent policy interventions (like MSP or import tariffs) are being
implemented to reverse this trend and ensure edible oil security?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (c): As per the final estimate of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
(DA&FW), the area under oilseed cultivation has increased from 301.92 lakh hectares in
2023–24 to 304.40 lakh hectares in 2024–25. The production of oilseeds has also
increased from 396.69 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 429.89 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) was approved on 3rd
October, 2024 to boost domestic oilseed production and move towards self-reliance
(Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils. Minimum Support Price (MSP) and import tariffs are
being implemented to ensure fair prices for farmers, protect them from market fluctuations,
reduce dependence on imports and encourage higher domestic production of edible oils.
Procurement under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)
scheme also covers oilseeds and helps farmers get better prices and income support.
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