Govt says pulses, oilseeds production rising as MPs express concern over 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 than the decade before, amid concerns raised by MPs over India's dependence on imports to meet demand.
A presentation to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing said imports at 15.66 million metric tonnes (MMT) accounted for 56 per cent of the domestic demand for edible oils in 2023-24
Sources said the agriculture ministry, however, in the meeting on June 20 emphasised the work being undertaken for self-sufficiency in the sector and noted that oilseeds production had risen by 55 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25, with third advance estimate pegging its production at 426.09 lakh tonnes in the last fiscal.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication
Planet Spark
Learn More
Undo
The corresponding increase was 13 per cent between 2004-05 and 2014-15.
With the country almost entirely dependent on imports to meet the palm oil demand, some MPs flagged health hazards associated with the relatively cheap edible oil, sources said.
Live Events
The ministry said India's heavy dependence on edible oil imports is costing more Rs 80,000 crore annually.
Based on the 2023-24 figure shared by the ministry in its presentation, India's domestic production was sufficient to meet the requirement of mustard and groundnut oils but had to import 3.49 MMT of sunflower oil against the consumption of 3.55 MMT. It also imported more than 60 per cent of its soyabean oil consumption.
The presentation on pulses said their production rose by 47 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25, a period marked by the continuing BJP-led NDA government, against 31 per cent in 2004-14, when the Congress-led UPA was in power.
MPs in the meeting called for incentivising farmers growing paddy and wheat to shift to pulses and other crops.
The ministry spoke in detail about the government's roadmap to achieve 'aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in pulses and oilseeds production by 2030-31, programmes unveiled in this year's budget.
Among the challenges in boosting pulse production, the ministry noted that 75 per cent of these crops are rainfed and grown on marginal lands with low fertility by small and marginal farmers.
The sources said the presentation also touched on the nationwide campaign for "optimal utilization of edible oils and its health benefits" following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a 10 per cent cut in their intake for overall fitness.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

10 minutes ago

• Hans India

Samsung seeks turnaround in HBM in biannual strategy meetings: Report

Seoul: Samsung Electronics is seeking ways to regain its footing in the premium high bandwidth memory (HBM) sector after losing its leadership position during executive-level meetings focused on business strategies for the second half of the year. The biannual meetings, held from Tuesday over a three-day span, were led by division heads and covered regional and business-specific challenges, as well as sales strategies and performance goals for the coming months, reports Yonhap news agency. During Wednesday's session hosted by its key semiconductor division, discussions centred on HBM sales strategies and production schedules, as the memory chips continue to see surging demand driven by the recent boom in generative artificial intelligence (AI), according to sources. Samsung Electronics' HBM chips have reportedly struggled to pass Nvidia Corp.'s quality tests, preventing the company from joining the global HBM supply chain, which is currently dominated by Nvidia, SK hynix Inc. and TSMC. As a result, Samsung Electronics was overtaken by rival SK hynix in global DRAM market share for the first time in the first quarter of this year. According to the data from global market research firm Omdia, SK hynix's market share rose 36.9 percent in the first quarter of this year, overtaking Samsung Electronics, whose share dropped to 34.4 percent. The company also reviewed its plan to begin mass production of next-generation HBM4 in the second half of the year, a move the company hopes will be a game-changer in reclaiming its competitive edge. Meanwhile, LG Electronics said on Sunday it will install large light-emitting diode (LED) digital displays at Roig Arena, a new indoor multipurpose facility in Spain, as part of its effort to expand its global sports entertainment business. The company plans to install a massive exterior LED screen, dubbed "The Eye," as well as a central scoreboard, a 76-meter-long main display and an LED ribbon screen encircling the interior of the stadium. Roig Arena, designed to host a variety of events, including sports and entertainment, is currently under construction and is expected to open in September. It will serve as the new home for the Valencia Basket team. LG Electronics has been expanding its footprint in the global commercial display market by supplying large digital signage to sports venues worldwide, particularly in the United States and Europe.

United News of India

12 minutes ago

• United News of India

Sensex surges by 1,289.57 points during week

Mumbai, June 21 (UNI) BSE Sensex surged 1,289.57 points, or 1.58 per cent, to settle at 82,408.17 during the week ended Friday, June 20, tracking gains in Asian markets and renewed foreign fund inflow, amid easing crude oil prices, improved investor sentiments. Nifty jumped 393.8 points, or 1.59 per cent, to settle at 25,112.40. Broader markets underperformed. The BSE Mid-Cap index shed 0.44 per cent to close at 45,480.26. The BSE Small-Cap declined 1.85 percent to end at 52,378.52. On Monday, the Sensex snapped a two-day losing streak and ended with solid gains. Sensex gained 677.55 points to settle at 81,796.15. Nifty 50 jumped 227.90 points to 24,946.50. The domestic equity benchmarks slipped into the red on Tuesday, dragged down by rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Investor sentiment remained subdued ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision. BSE Sensex declined 212.85 points to 81,583.30. Nifty fell 93.10 points to 24,853.40. On Wednesday, marking their second straight day of losses, as rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran weighed on investor sentiment, the Sensex declined 138.64 points to 81,444.66. Nifty too fell 41.35 points to 24,812.05. On Thursday, marking the third straight session of decline, as investor sentiment remained shaky due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the Sensex shed 82.79 points to 81,361.87. Nifty fell 18.80 points to 24,793.25. On Friday, snapping a three-day losing streak in a row, as the market remained firm despite rising geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. Sensex jumped 1,046.30 points to 82,408.17. Nifty 50 rose by 319.15 points to 25,112.40. Sectoral gainer During the week, BSE Auto was 1.17 pc, BSE BANKEX was 1.35 pc, BSE Consumer Durables was 0.93 pc, BSE Capital Goods was 0.68 pc, and BSE IT was 0.88 pc. BSE Realty 0.65 pc and BSE TECK by 2.07 Sectoral losers during the week were BSE Oil & Gas by 0.4, BSE FMCG by 0.21 pc, BSE Healthcare by 2.08 pc, BSE METAL by 1.12 pc and BSE Power by 0.19 pc. Stocks that fell during the week were Nestle India by 0.49 pc. Tamilnad Mercantile Bank by 2.83 pc, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) by 0.36 pc, AAVAS Financiers by 1.58 pc, Tata Motors by 5.04 pc, SpiceJet by 8.60 pc, Sun TV Network by 2.16 pc and Alembic Pharmaceuticals by 2.92 pc. Godrej Properties rose 0.76 pc. The company announced that it has acquired an approximately 16-acre land parcel in Upper Kharadi, Pune. The project will have a developable potential of 2.5 million square feet with an estimated revenue potential of about Rs 3,100 crore. DLF rose 0.30 pc. The company said that its latest luxury offering, DLF Privana North, valued at approximately Rs 11,000 crore, has been sold within one week of its launch. UNI JS ARN

Time of India

13 minutes ago

• Time of India

Telangana govt submits detailed project report for Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-2 (B); plans 86.1-km expansion across 3 corridors worth Rs 19,579 crore

HYDERABAD: Days after Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy met Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar at his residence in New Delhi and briefed him on the importance of the Phase-2 project, the Telangana govt submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and all required documents for the Phase-2 (B) proposal to the central govt, according to Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited managing director NVS Reddy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project, which was approved by the state cabinet, proposes extending the metro network by 86.1 km at an estimated total cost of Rs 19,579 crore. The Phase 2 (B) proposal includes three corridors: RGIA to Bharat Future City (Skills University), covering 39.6 km at a cost of Rs 7,168 crore; JBS to Medchal, spanning 24.5 km at Rs 6,946 crore; and JBS to Shamirpet, extending 22 km at Rs 5,465 crore. Similar to the previously submitted Phase 2 (A) project, which comprised five corridors totalling 76.4 km, Phase 2 (B) is also proposed as a joint venture between the central govt and the Telangana govt. According to the central govt's JV norms, funding will comprise Rs 5,874 crore (30%) from the Telangana govt, Rs 3,524 crore (18%) from the central govt, Rs 9,398 crore (48%) in the form of debt from international financial institutions and Rs 783 crore (4%) through a public-private partnership (PPP) component.