Agriculture self-reliance: Govt says oilseeds and pulses output growing faster; MPs raise alarm over costly edible oil imports
The government has told a parliamentary committee that domestic production of pulses and edible oils has risen at a greater pace in the last 10 years compared to the previous decade, even as several MPs voiced concern over the country's continued dependence on imports to meet demand.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
In a presentation to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing, the agriculture ministry said imports accounted for 15.66 million metric tonnes (MMT), or 56 per cent, of the total domestic demand for edible oils in 2023-24.
Sources said the ministry, during the committee meeting held on June 20, emphasised the ongoing efforts to achieve self-sufficiency, PTI reported. It noted that oilseeds production rose by 55 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25, with the third advance estimate pegging production at 426.09 lakh tonnes in the last fiscal.
In contrast, the growth in oilseeds output was only 13 per cent in the 2004-05 to 2014-15 period.
MPs also expressed concerns over public health, particularly in connection with India's high dependence on imported palm oil, which is relatively cheaper. Some members flagged possible health hazards associated with palm oil consumption.
The ministry said the country's dependence on edible oil imports is costing more than Rs 80,000 crore annually.
Based on the data presented for 2023-24, India's domestic production was adequate to meet the demand for mustard and groundnut oils. However, the country had to import 3.49 MMT of sunflower oil against a domestic consumption of 3.55 MMT and imported more than 60 per cent of its soybean oil needs.
On pulses, the ministry said their production rose by 47 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25—a period when the BJP-led NDA was in power—compared to a 31 per cent increase in the decade before, under the Congress-led UPA government.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Some MPs suggested incentivising farmers who traditionally grow paddy and wheat to shift towards pulses and oilseeds.
The ministry also elaborated on the government's roadmap to achieve 'aatmanirbharta' or self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds by 2030-31. These plans were detailed in the Union Budget earlier this year.
Among the challenges flagged by the ministry was that 75 per cent of pulse crops are rainfed and grown on marginal lands with low fertility by small and marginal farmers.
The sources added that the presentation also covered the government's national campaign to promote 'optimal utilization of edible oils and its health benefits' in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a 10 per cent reduction in their intake to boost overall fitness.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
19 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Gujarat Confidential: Spokesperson suspended
The Gujarat Congress suspended one of its spokespersons Amit Nayak for 'putting out internal matters of the party on social media', allegedly speaking out against Dalits and indulging in irregular dealings, according to the suspension letter issued by the party. On June 4, Nayak had written an open letter addressed to the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi where he had also criticised certain leaders for 'attending social events of political opponents'. The Congress, in its suspension letter, accused him of posting distorted images of Congress leaders seen at social events of BJP leaders. 'There are similar photos of you in BJP events that the disciplinary committee has received with complaints,' the letter said. Nayak is considered a close confidant of Congress general secretary Rajesh Soni, who was earlier arrested for an alleged objectionable post on Operation Sindoor.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP organises event to observe 50 years of Emergency
Pic: The BJP organised a special programme in Belagavi on Monday on the completion of 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency in the country Belagavi: BJP organised a special programme on Monday to observe 50 years since the imposition of Emergency. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now MP Jagadish Shettar, MLC CT Ravi, and MLA Abhay Patil spoke at the programme. Ravi said that 50 years ago, there were attempts to move away from democratic values by imposing a state of Emergency, which was declared for selfish reasons, to weaken the rights of the people, to control the judiciary, to take away the freedom of the Press, and for the suppression of human rights. "The Constitution reached a comatose state under the Congress dictatorship," he said, adding: "Those who massacred the Constitution shouldn't speak about it. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge did not raise his voice then. It was Jan Sangh, RSS, and BJP who did it." Shettar said the imposition of Emergency in India was an act of insulting the Constitution. More than 10 dignitaries who were imprisoned during the Emergency were honoured on the occasion. The programme was conducted to create awareness among the people by reviving the 'dark history' of Congress.
India Today
19 minutes ago
- India Today
Will deal and diplomacy save India's oil interests? Experts weigh in
As the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates after Trump's entry, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has emphasised that there's no cause for alarm and reaffirmed India's preparedness and diplomatic outreach to prevent further will deal and diplomacy save India's oil interest? What are India's options? Watch as experts explore India's energy and security interests, its potential role as mediator, and relations with Western nations amid sanctions on Iran. The show also covers Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's recent praise for Prime Minister Modi's diplomacy, calling him a 'prime asset for India on the global stage', which has caused controversy within the Congress party.
