A high-level Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution was held in New Delhi to discuss issues related to food security and the edible oil sector.
During the meeting, Member of Parliament Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan highlighted India’s heavy dependence on imported edible oils and urged the Centre to take concrete measures to enhance domestic production.
Ramzan informed the committee that India imports nearly 160 lakh metric tonnes of edible oil annually, accounting for around 60 per cent of the country’s total requirement. He said the country continues to rely significantly on imports to bridge the gap between domestic demand and production, stressing that reducing import dependence is vital for ensuring long-term food and economic security.
The MP called for the full-scale implementation of the National Mission on Edible Oils and emphasised the need for an assured Minimum Support Price (MSP) for oilseeds, coupled with effective procurement support to encourage farmers to increase cultivation.
He also urged the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to adopt measures aimed at improving per-hectare productivity and boosting overall oilseed production across the country.
Ramzan said enhanced research, improved seed varieties and better extension services would play a key role in achieving self-reliance in the edible oil sector.
The meeting also discussed various strategies to strengthen India’s food supply chain and reduce dependence on imports of essential commodities.
