**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Unstarred Question No. 1826 in the Lok Sabha, addressing oilseed production in India, particularly focusing on Tamil Nadu's contribution. The question was slated to be answered on February 10, 2026. The document highlights the increase in oilseed production nationally and outlines government initiatives to enhance productivity and support farmers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Oilseed Production Increase:** Oilseed production in India increased from 359.46 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 to 429.89 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
* **Production Data (Area, Production and Yield):**
* The document provides a table showing area (in Lakh Ha), production (in Lakh Tonnes), and yield (Kg/Ha) for All India and Tamil Nadu from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
* It also includes the percentage contribution of Tamil Nadu to total oilseed production in India for each of those years.
* **Tamil Nadu Focus:**
* Tamil Nadu produces groundnut, gingelly, and sunflower.
* Crop-wise and district-wise data is available online.
* **National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS):**
* Approved on October 3, 2024 to boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils.
* Implemented through a cluster-based approach with market linkages.
* Involves Value Chain Clusters managed by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and other agencies.
* Provides free high-quality seeds for up to one hectare per farmer and training.
* Supports establishment and upgradation of post-harvest infrastructure.
* Demonstrations are conducted in cluster mode.
* **Seed Support:** Availability of quality certified seed is strengthened. 100 per cent support for breeder seed production is provided. New seed hubs and seed storage units are supported in the public sector. Five seed hubs and one seed storage unit have been sanctioned in Tamil Nadu.
* **Minimum Support Price (MSP):** The Government declares Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds every year to ensure remunerative prices for farmers.
* **PM-AASHA Scheme:** Procurement under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme also covers oilseeds and helps farmers get better prices and income support.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Farmers in Tamil Nadu
* **Impact:** Increased support through Union Government programmes to enhance oilseed productivity, access to quality seeds, and MSP to ensure better prices and income.
* **Action Required:** To participate in available schemes, adopt improved varieties, utilize provided resources for increased production and income.
**Stakeholder:** National Economy
* **Impact:** Reduction in import dependence due to enhanced domestic oilseed production and striving towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils.
* **Action Required:** To continue supporting farmers and strengthen oilseed production infrastructure.
**Stakeholder:** Value Chain Partners (FPOs, Cooperatives, etc.)
* **Impact:** Role in managing Value Chain Clusters under NMEO-OS to provide support and resources to farmers, including high-quality seeds and training.
* **Action Required:** To facilitate effective implementation of NMEO-OS and provide the necessary support to farmers for increased oilseed production.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The primary government body responsible for oilseed production policies.
Tamil Nadu: A key oilseed-producing state in India, highlighted for its contribution and targeted for specific interventions.
National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS): A program to boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-reliance in edible oils.
Minimum Support Price (MSP): Government intervention to ensure remunerative prices for oilseeds farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA): A scheme that covers oilseeds to help farmers get better prices and income support.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1826
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026
OILSEED PRODUCTION
1826. SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of oilseed production in the country during the last five years, highlighting the
contribution of Tamil Nadu as a significant producer under various Union Government
programmes aimed at enhancing productivity and reducing import dependence;
(b) the extent to which key oilseed-growing districts of Tamil Nadu, including
Tiruvannamalai, have contributed to increased area, yield and production of crops such as
groundnut, gingelly and sunflower with support from centrally sponsored schemes like NFSM-
Oilseeds, seed minikits, demonstrations and MSP operations;
(c) the measurable outcomes of Union Government interventions in terms of farmers’
income, adoption of improved varieties and strengthening of edible oil self-sufficiency in the
State; and
(d) the future plans of the Union Government to further augment oilseed production in Tamil
Nadu through research support, technology dissemination, mechanisation and market linkages?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (d): Oilseed production in the country has increased from 359.46 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 to
429.89 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Details of area, production and yield at the national level as well
as for Tamil Nadu are as under:
(Area in Lakh Ha, Production in Lakh Tonnes & Yield Kg/ Ha)
Year All India Tamil Nadu %
Area Production Yield Area Production Yield contribution
of Tamil
Nadu in total
production
2020-21 288.34 359.46 1247 4.74 10.63 2244 2.96
2021-22 289.45 379.63 1312 4.32 10.83 2505 2.85
2022-23 302.39 413.55 1368 4.15 9.49 2288 2.29
2023-24 301.92 396.69 1314 4.01 9.17 2287 2.31
2024-25 304.40 429.89 1412 4.06 8.12 1998 1.89
Source: UPAg portalTamil Nadu produces groundnut, gingelly and sunflower. Crop wise, district wise area,
production and yield of oilseeds in Tamil Nadu State is available at https://upag.gov.in/.
The National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) was approved on 3rd October,
2024 to boost domestic oilseed production and to strive towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar
Bharat) in edible oils.
The NMEO-OS is implemented through a cluster-based approach with market linkages.
Value Chain Clusters managed by Value Chain Partners such as Farmer Producer Organizations
(FPOs), cooperatives and other agencies. Provide free high-quality seeds for up to one hectare per
farmer and training in good agricultural practices. The Mission also supports the establishment
and upgradation of post-harvest infrastructure (oil mills), to improve oil recovery from both
primary and secondary sources. Different categories of demonstrations are also done in cluster
mode.
Availability of quality certified seed is strengthened through 100 per cent support for
breeder seed production, along with support for establishing new seed hubs and seed storage units
in the public sector. Five (5) seed hubs (Groundnut, sesame & castor) and one (1) seed storage
units have been sanctioned in Tamil Nadu.
In addition, the Government declares Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds every
year to ensure remunerative prices for farmers, protect them from market volatility, encourage
higher domestic production and reduce import dependence. Procurement under the Pradhan
Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) scheme also covers oilseeds and helps
farmers get better prices and income support.
******