"The real test lies in execution - enabling ease of doing business, ensuring state-level alignment, and delivering on-ground impact at scale"

SUDHAKAR RAO DESAI, CEO, Emami Agrotech Limited

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The Union Cabinet has earlier approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)—a major initiative aimed at increasing domestic production of oilseeds and reducing the country’s dependence on imported edible oils. The Mission is set to run from 2024-25 to 2030-31, backed by a financial commitment of Rs 10,103 crore. Also, NMEO-Oilseeds focuses on scaling up the cultivation of key oilseed crops such as rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesame. It also aims to boost oil extraction from secondary sources like cottonseed, rice bran, and tree-borne oils. The goal is to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonne (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonne by 2030-31. When combined with targets from the NMEO-Oil Palm mission, India hopes to produce 25.45 million tonne of edible oil domestically, covering around 72 per cent of the projected national demand. Sudhakar Rao Desai, CEO, Emami Agrotech, therefore discusses strategies to align the oilseed sector with India's broader goal of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), thereby reducing dependency on imports. Edited excerpts:

Do you think India is currently self-reliant in oilseed production?

Not yet. Despite being an agrarian economy, India still imports close to 60 per cent of its edible oil needs. This significant dependency stems from a persistent gap between domestic production and rising consumption. It is a reflection of deeper structural challenges—low yields, shrinking acreage, and less favourable crop economics. Self-reliance here is not just a goal—it is a strategic imperative for food and trade security.

What are the main challenges preventing self-reliance?