Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has called on states to intensify efforts under the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). This initiative is pivotal to India’s vision of achieving self-sufficiency in edible oil production, reducing imports, and boosting farmer incomes.
Launched to promote domestic oil palm cultivation, NMEO-OP aims to bring 6.5 lakh hectares under plantations by 2025-26, focusing on the agro-climatic potential of the North-eastern region and other suitable areas. While some states have made notable progress, others face challenges in utilizing allocated funds and meeting plantation targets, highlighting the need for a more coordinated approach.
Chouhan highlighted the urgency for states to overcome bottlenecks and utilize unspent resources effectively. He urged states to prioritize infrastructure development, provide robust farmer support, and expand plantations to meet mission objectives. Addressing challenges such as misinformation and delays in assistance disbursal is crucial to ensuring farmer satisfaction and sustained participation in the initiative.
The government has introduced measures like geo-mapping and drone surveillance to enhance transparency and efficiency in monitoring plantation progress. Chouhan encouraged states to fully cooperate with these digital initiatives. Additionally, the Viability Price (VP) mechanism has been implemented to protect farmers from market fluctuations. States are expected to expedite Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enable farmers to benefit from this mechanism.
Reiterating the mission’s significance, Union Minister stressed the need for a united effort involving central and state governments, implementing agencies, and farmers to achieve Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in edible oil production.
Strengthening partnerships and addressing implementation gaps are critical to realizing the ambitious goals of NMEO-OP, ensuring enhanced farmer incomes and reduced import dependency.
