Solvent Extractor's Association or SEA has come out with its Budget Proposals for next Union Budget. It noted that over the past three decades, the edible oil and oilseed sector in India has undergone significant changes. India's reliance on imports, which was just 3% in the 1990s, has now surged to approximately 60% of total consumption. This shift is largely due to stagnant oilseed production, while demand continues to rise. Oilseed production has remained around 35 million tons, with productivity hovering between 900–1000 kg per hectare. Currently, India imports about 160 lakh tonnes of edible oils, valued at over Rs. 1.4 lakh crores. To reduce our dependence on imported edible oils, we propose the implementation of the National Mission on Edible Oils, with an annual allocation of Rs. 25,000 crore over the next five years. The goal is to reduce reliance on imports from 60% to 25-30% by 2029-30, a target that is critical for both the government and the industry. The Association has outlined several key measures to stimulate domestic oilseed production, which we hope will be reflected in the upcoming Union Budget and submitted to the Government for consideration. One of the key suggestions initiates launch of a Government Survey on Edible Oil Offtakes. It commended the Union Agriculture Ministry for conducting a survey on edible oils via the "MyGov" platform. This initiative aims to understand consumer preferences and will guide farmers to cultivate demand-driven crops. By aligning production with consumption patterns, this survey will help move the country towards self-sufficiency in edible oils. Questions in the survey cover aspects such as monthly oil consumption, preferences for types of oil, and seasonal oil usage. The results, once made public, will be invaluable for the industry and trade in deciding which oils to produce or import.
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