The Centre has increased the financial outlay for the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).

About NMEO-OP

• National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) was implemented during the 12^th Five Year Plan, to expand the oil palm areas and increase the production of edible oils.
• It was later merged with the National Food Security Mission.
• NMEO-OP aims to resolve to allow India to be independent or self-reliant in edible oil production.
• Through this mission, more than ₹11,000 crores will be invested in the edible oil ecosystem.
• The government will ensure that farmers get all the needed facilities, from quality seeds to technology.
• Along with promoting the cultivation of oil palm, this mission will also expand the cultivation of our other traditional oilseed crops.

Why such a mission?

• India is one of the major oilseeds growers and importers of edible oils.
• India’s vegetable oil economy is the world’s fourth-largest after the USA, China & Brazil.
• The oilseed accounts for 13% of the Gross Cropped Area, 3% of the Gross National Product, and 10% value of all agricultural commodities.
• During the last few years, the domestic consumption of edible oils has increased substantially and has touched the level of 18.90 million tonnes in 2011-12 and is likely to increase further.
• A substantial portion of our requirement of edible oil is met through the import of palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia.
• It is, therefore, necessary to exploit domestic resources to maximize production to ensure edible oil security for the country.

Alternative sources

• Oil Palm is comparatively a new crop in India and is the highest vegetable oil yielding perennial crop.
• With quality planting materials, irrigation, and proper management, there is a potential of achieving 20-30 MT Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) per ha after attaining the age of 5 years.
• Therefore, there is an urgent need to intensify efforts for area expansion under oil palm to enhance palm oil production in the country.
• Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs), like Sal, Mahua, Simarouba, kokum, Olive, Karanja, Jatropha, Neem, Jojoba, Wild Apricot, Walnut, tung etc. are cultivated/grown in the country under different agro-climatic conditions.
• These TBOs are also good sources of vegetable oil and therefore need to be supported for cultivation.

Try answering this PYQ:

Q.An objective of the National Food Security Mission is to increase the production of certain crops through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country. What are those crops?

(a) Rice and wheat only

(b) Rice, wheat, and pulses only

(c) Rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds only

(d) Rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables

 

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