The Hans India (19/05/2025) - Stepping up domestic palm oil production can be a win-win for India, helping it slash its edible oils import bill and boost farm prosperity.

The world’s most populous country is the largest importer of the commodity, which is present in everything from soaps and shampoos to ketchup and packaged snacks. This dependence has weighed on the country’s exchequer and left it vulnerable to price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Surging global prices last year, for instance, forced India to drastically cut back on imports. Shipments in January reached a 14-year low as the country switched to alternatives like soy to meet its edible oil needs.

While these alternatives exist and have helped mitigate the impact of volatile palm oil prices, they nevertheless leave India reliant on imports. Boosting domestic palm oil production is, therefore, critical to guaranteeing India’s long-term food security.

The government recognised this and implemented the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). It aims to increase the area under oil palm cultivation in mission mode to 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26 and then to 16.7 lakh hectares by 2029-30.

If realised, it will help India achieve self-sufficiency and transform India into a global palm oil production hub. Legacy producers like Indonesia are shifting focus to the production of biodiesel, which is largely responsible for the recent surge in global palm oil prices.

https://www.thehansindia.com/business/oil-palm-cultivation-an-economic-win-win-for-india-972427