Farmers Shifting from Oilseeds to Maize? Indian Government Refutes Trend, Cites Growth in Oilseed Production
23 July 2025, New Delhi: Amid growing concerns over India’s edible oil security, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has responded to allegations of a rapid shift by farmers from oilseeds to maize, clarifying that the country has, in fact, witnessed an increase in both the area and production of oilseeds in the current cropping year.
The clarification came in response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha by Member of Parliament Sukhdeo Bhagat. The MP had cited the Ministry’s own report dated June 30, 2025, indicating a crop-shift trend potentially jeopardizing the government’s long-term goal of edible oil self-reliance.
However, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ramnath Thakur, dismissed the concern, citing the latest third advance estimates from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW). According to these figures, the area under oilseed cultivation increased marginally from 301.92 lakh hectares in 2023–24 to 302.65 lakh hectares in 2024–25. Moreover, oilseed production rose significantly—from 396.69 lakh tonnes in 2023–24 to 426.09 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.
To reinforce oilseed cultivation and reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oils, the government launched the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) on October 3, 2024. This flagship mission is part of the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aimed at making India self-reliant in key agricultural commodities.
As part of its support mechanism, the government continues to declare Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for oilseeds at a level of at least 1.5 times the cost of production. Additionally, procurement under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) covers oilseeds to ensure price support and income protection for farmers.
Despite fluctuations in market prices and periodic challenges in procurement logistics, the Ministry maintains that its multi-pronged strategy—including price support, research and extension, and targeted import tariffs—is geared towards safeguarding India’s edible oil security and ensuring that oilseed cultivation remains an attractive option for farmers.
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