Latest news with #StandingCommitteeonAgriculture
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Agriculture self-reliance: Govt says oilseeds and pulses output growing faster; MPs raise alarm over costly edible oil imports
The government has told a parliamentary committee that domestic production of pulses and edible oils has risen at a greater pace in the last 10 years compared to the previous decade, even as several MPs voiced concern over the country's continued dependence on imports to meet demand. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a presentation to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing, the agriculture ministry said imports accounted for 15.66 million metric tonnes (MMT), or 56 per cent, of the total domestic demand for edible oils in 2023-24. Sources said the ministry, during the committee meeting held on June 20, emphasised the ongoing efforts to achieve self-sufficiency, PTI reported. It noted that oilseeds production rose by 55 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25, with the third advance estimate pegging production at 426.09 lakh tonnes in the last fiscal. In contrast, the growth in oilseeds output was only 13 per cent in the 2004-05 to 2014-15 period. MPs also expressed concerns over public health, particularly in connection with India's high dependence on imported palm oil, which is relatively cheaper. Some members flagged possible health hazards associated with palm oil consumption. The ministry said the country's dependence on edible oil imports is costing more than Rs 80,000 crore annually. Based on the data presented for 2023-24, India's domestic production was adequate to meet the demand for mustard and groundnut oils. However, the country had to import 3.49 MMT of sunflower oil against a domestic consumption of 3.55 MMT and imported more than 60 per cent of its soybean oil needs. On pulses, the ministry said their production rose by 47 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25—a period when the BJP-led NDA was in power—compared to a 31 per cent increase in the decade before, under the Congress-led UPA government. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Some MPs suggested incentivising farmers who traditionally grow paddy and wheat to shift towards pulses and oilseeds. The ministry also elaborated on the government's roadmap to achieve 'aatmanirbharta' or self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds by 2030-31. These plans were detailed in the Union Budget earlier this year. Among the challenges flagged by the ministry was that 75 per cent of pulse crops are rainfed and grown on marginal lands with low fertility by small and marginal farmers. The sources added that the presentation also covered the government's national campaign to promote 'optimal utilization of edible oils and its health benefits' in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a 10 per cent reduction in their intake to boost overall fitness.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt says pulses, oilseeds production rising as MPs express concern over imports
The government has told a parliamentary committee that domestic production of pulses and edible oils has risen at a greater pace in the last 10 years than the decade before, amid concerns raised by MPs over India's dependence on imports to meet demand. A presentation to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing said imports at 15.66 million metric tonnes (MMT) accounted for 56 per cent of the domestic demand for edible oils in 2023-24 Sources said the agriculture ministry, however, in the meeting on June 20 emphasised the work being undertaken for self-sufficiency in the sector and noted that oilseeds production had risen by 55 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25, with third advance estimate pegging its production at 426.09 lakh tonnes in the last fiscal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo The corresponding increase was 13 per cent between 2004-05 and 2014-15. With the country almost entirely dependent on imports to meet the palm oil demand, some MPs flagged health hazards associated with the relatively cheap edible oil, sources said. Live Events The ministry said India's heavy dependence on edible oil imports is costing more Rs 80,000 crore annually. Based on the 2023-24 figure shared by the ministry in its presentation, India's domestic production was sufficient to meet the requirement of mustard and groundnut oils but had to import 3.49 MMT of sunflower oil against the consumption of 3.55 MMT. It also imported more than 60 per cent of its soyabean oil consumption. The presentation on pulses said their production rose by 47 per cent between 2014-15 and 2024-25, a period marked by the continuing BJP-led NDA government, against 31 per cent in 2004-14, when the Congress-led UPA was in power. MPs in the meeting called for incentivising farmers growing paddy and wheat to shift to pulses and other crops. The ministry spoke in detail about the government's roadmap to achieve 'aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in pulses and oilseeds production by 2030-31, programmes unveiled in this year's budget. Among the challenges in boosting pulse production, the ministry noted that 75 per cent of these crops are rainfed and grown on marginal lands with low fertility by small and marginal farmers. The sources said the presentation also touched on the nationwide campaign for "optimal utilization of edible oils and its health benefits" following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a 10 per cent cut in their intake for overall fitness.
