Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare addresses concerns regarding soybean and maize production in India, responding to questions about import exemptions from the US and potential harm to Indian farmers. The response details record production levels in 2024-25, ongoing discussions for the India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), and measures to protect Indian farmers' interests, including Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) and production-boosting programs. The government aims to balance trade opportunities with the need for food security and fair prices for domestic producers.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Soybean and Maize Production:**
* In 2024-25, soybean production reached 151.80 lakh tonnes and maize production reached 422.81 lakh tonnes, marking year-on-year increases.
* From 2014-15 to 2024-25, soybean production increased by 46.32% and maize production increased by 74.91%.
* **Edible Oil Self-Sufficiency:**
* India imports approximately 55% of its edible oil requirements due to insufficient domestic production.
* The National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) aims to increase oilseed production to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31 with a budget of Rs 10,103.38 crore.
* **Maize Export Status:**
* India is generally a net exporter of maize, but exports were minimal in 2024-25.
* **India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA):**
* The Government of India is engaged in discussions with the US to expand trade and investment through the BTA.
* The focus is on increasing market access, reducing trade barriers, and integrating supply chains while prioritizing the interests of Indian farmers and food security.
* **Farmer Protection Measures:**
* The Central Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 agricultural crops, including soybean and maize, based on CACP recommendations and input from state governments and central departments.
* Initiatives like NMEO-Oilseeds and the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) are in place to boost soybean and maize production by improving cultivation practices and ensuring fair prices.
Impact Analysis:
* **Indian Farmers:**
* *Impact:* The policy aims to protect farmers from potential harm due to imports by setting MSPs and implementing programs to enhance productivity and ensure remunerative prices. The BTA negotiations prioritize their livelihood interests.
* *Action Required:* Farmers should be aware of the MSP for soybean and maize, and take advantage of programs like NMEO-Oilseeds and NFSM to improve yields and income.
* **Consumers:**
* *Impact:* The policy addresses edible oil self-sufficiency, which can impact the availability and price of edible oils for consumers.
* *Action Required:* Consumers may see changes in the price and availability of edible oils as the government strives for greater self-sufficiency.
* **Government of India:**
* *Impact:* The government is responsible for balancing trade opportunities with the US while ensuring food security and protecting the interests of domestic farmers.
* *Action Required:* The government must continue to monitor soybean and maize production levels, negotiate trade agreements that benefit Indian farmers, and implement programs to boost agricultural productivity.
* **United States Government/Soybean and Maize Producers:**
* *Impact:* The ongoing BTA negotiations could potentially increase market access for US soybean and maize in India.
* *Action Required:* The United States Government should consider the impact of trade agreements on Indian farmers and food security during negotiations.
Key Entities Referenced
Soybean: An agricultural commodity, specifically an oilseed, that is the subject of production and import considerations in the policy document.
Maize: An agricultural commodity, also known as corn, that is the subject of production and import considerations in the policy document.
United States: A country from which the Government of India is considering importing soybean and maize, and a party to the India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA: A trade agreement under discussion between the Government of India and the Government of the United States, aimed at expanding trade and investment.
National Mission on Edible Oils Oilseeds: An Indian government initiative with allocated budget of Rs 10,103.38 crore to boost oilseed production.
National Food Security Mission NFSM: An Indian government initiative aimed at enhancing the area under cultivation, production, and productivity of crops.
Commission for Agricultural Costs Prices CACP: An Indian government body that recommends Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for mandated agricultural crops.
SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR: The member of parliament who raised the unstarred question regarding Soybean and Maize production.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4369
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19th AUGUST, 2025
PRODUCTION OF SOYBEAN AND MAIZE
4369. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR
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 Soybean and Maize production is not meeting country’s needs;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;
(c) whether the Government proposes to give special exemption for importing soybean and
maize from the US;
(d) if so, the reasons therefore; and
(e) whether importing Soybean and Maize is likely to harm Indian farmers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a ) & (b): The country achieved a record in the production of soybean at 151.80 lakh tonnes
and maize production of 422.81 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 (as per the 3rd Advance Estimate),
marking an year-on-year increase of 21.18 and 46.16 lakh tonnes, respectively. During 2014-
15 to 2024-25, soybean production rose by 46.32% (from 103.74 to 151.80 lakh tonnes), while
maize production grew by 74.91% (from 241.73 to 422.81 lakh tonnes). The data on soybean
and maize production trends is provided at Annexure I
The domestic production of edible oils in the country is not enough to meet the rising
domestic demand and the country has to rely on imports, which is around 55% of its total
requirement. Consistent efforts are being made to achieve self-sufficiency in oilseeds
(including soybean). National Mission on Edible Oils- Oilseeds has allocated Rs 10,103.38
crore to boost oilseed production to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31 from present 42.6 million
tonnes in 2024-25 (3rd Advance Estimate).India has generally been a net exporter of maize. However, in 2024-25, India’s maize
exports were minimal, marking an exception to its usual exporter status.
(c) & (d): Government of India is actively involved in the discussions on the India-USA
Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the Government of the United States with the aim to
expand trade and investment and deepening of the India-US trade relationship to promote
growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation. The ongoing discussions are
focused on an integrated approach to strengthen and deepen bilateral trade by mutually
increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and deepening supply chain
integration.
Further, the livelihood interests of our farmers and requirements of food security
have always been paramount for the Government while negotiating trade agreements with
our international partners, including the US.
(e): Every year, the Central Government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22
mandated agricultural crops based on the recommendations of the Commission for
Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after considering the views of the State Governments
and Central Ministries/Departments concerned to ensure remunerative prices to the growers
for their produce. Soybean and Maize are included in the 22 mandated agricultural crops.
Further, India implements several programs to boost soybean and maize production,
notably the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) and the National
Food Security Mission (NFSM). These initiatives aim to enhance the area under cultivation,
production, and productivity by adopting multiple strategies, including the supply of quality
seeds, promotion of improved agricultural technologies, and ensuring remunerative prices to
the farmers.Annexure I