12/09/2014 (Times of India) - Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh on Thursday chaired the first meeting of executive committee on National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOP). He informed that export of oilseeds constitutes largest component in agriculture sector. During 2012-13 foreign exchange worth Rs 23,681 crore was earned from export of oilseeds which stood at 63 lakh tonnes. This included 48.56 lakh tonnes of oil cakes, 9 lakh tonnes oilseeds and 6 lakh tonnes of oil.

Mohan said that soyabean constitutes more than 50% of total exports. Cultivation of soyabean has changed the economic condition of farmers of States of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. However, country has to import edible oil worth Rs 60,000 crore to fill in the gap of demand and supply which is a big challenge for all of us.

The minister also said that due to delayed rains sowing of oilseeds has registered a decrease of 20 lakh hectare as compared to last year. However, due to recent rains, hope of sowing coverage for oilseeds crops during rabi sowing has been raised.