National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

Context: For the first time in over a decade, palm oil’s share of India’s total edible oil imports has dropped below 30%.

What is Palm Oil?

• Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (pulp) of oil palm fruits.
• It is widely used in food products (cooking oil, processed foods), cosmetics, biofuels, and industrial applications.
• Two main types:
  • Crude Palm Oil (CPO) – Extracted from the pulp.
  • Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) – Extracted from the seed/kernel.
• Oil palm trees are native to Africa but currently, Indonesia and Malaysia make up over 85% of global supply.
• India has already launched the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation.

Palm Oil Production

• Top Producers Worldwide: (1) Indonesia (2) Malaysia (3) Thailand
• Largest Importers of Palm Oil: (1) India (2) China
• Palm Oil Production in India:
  • Annual production: 3-0.4 million MT (less than 2% of India’s demand).
  • States producing palm oil: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Kerala.

National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

• NMEO-OP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a special focus on the North east region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Aim: To boost oil palm production in India.
  • India is the world’s largest importer of palm oil.
• Area Expansion: Aims to increase oil palm cultivation by 6.5 lakh hectares by 2025-26, reaching a total of 10 lakh hectares.
• Production Target: Increase Crude Palm Oil (CPO) production to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26 and 28 lakh tonnes by 2029-30.

Significance of NMEO-OP

Implementing NMEO-OP is vital for enhancing India’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security. The increased production of palm oil will not only meet domestic demand but also stabilize prices and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Special Focus Areas

The mission gives special attention to the Northeast region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, areas with immense potential for oil palm cultivation. This focus is expected to drive regional development and provide economic opportunities for local farmers.

Conclusion

The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) represents a transformative step towards achieving self-sufficiency in edible oil production in India. By focusing on area expansion, increasing production targets, and emphasizing sustainable practices, NMEO-OP aims to reduce India’s dependence on imports and promote economic growth in key regions.

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