India's Master Plan to End Edible Oil Imports: Farmers to Benefit, Prices Stabilize

• India launches 'National Mission on Edible Oils' (NMEOM) with a Rs. 10,103 crore budget to cut 57% import dependency to 28% by 2032.
• Strategy includes promoting high-yielding seeds, increasing oilseed cultivation area to 33 million hectares, and encouraging summer oilseed crops with free seeds and training.
• Government offers Rs. 7 lakh subsidy for local oil processing units (Rs. 30 lakh unit) and has approved 263 units for farmer associations.
• 'PM-ASHA' scheme ensures crop procurement, with 19.9 lakh tonnes of soybean and 17.7 lakh tonnes of groundnut bought in 2024-25.
• A 'cluster approach' in 1,076 clusters across 500 districts aims to boost oilseed production from 39 to 70 million tonnes by 2030-31, ensuring local raw material supply.

Why It Matters: India's mission aims for self-reliance in edible oil, reducing imports and empowering farmers.