Rationalisation of Agriculture Schemes and Oilseeds Mission

• 07 Oct 2024

For Prelims: National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), Krishonnati Yojana (KY), Agroforestry, Food Security, Climate Resilient Agriculture, Nutrition Security, Atmanirbhar Bharat, NMEO-OP (Oil Palm), Intercropping, Genome Editing, SATHI Portal, FPOs, Minimum Support Price (MSP), Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA). 

For Mains: Significance of rationalisation of agricultural schemes and implementation of National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for self sufficiency in oilseeds. 

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

Recently, the Union cabinet rationalised 18 centrally sponsored schemes and approved the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). 

What are the Key Facts Regarding Rationalisation of Schemes? 

• Categorisation of Schemes: All Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare into two umbrella schemes namely the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and the Krishonnati Yojana (KY).  
• Key Features of the Schemes:  
  • PM-RKVY: This scheme aims to promote sustainable agriculture practices across the country. 
    • It encompasses various initiatives, including soil health management, rainfed area development, agroforestry, crop diversification among others. 
    • The PM-RKVY comprises the following schemes: Soil Health Management, Rainfed Area Development, Agro-Forestry, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Agricultural Mechanization including Crop Residue Management, Per Drop More Crop, Crop Diversification Programme, RKVY DPR component, Accelerator Fund for Agri Startups. 
  • Krishonnati Yojana (KY): It will address food security and agricultural self-sufficiency.  
• Comprehensive Strategic Document: The States are given an opportunity to prepare a Comprehensive Strategic Document for their agriculture sector.  
  • It focuses on improving crop production and productivity while addressing climate resilient agriculture and developing value chains for agricultural products. 
• Objective of Rationalisation:  
  • Efficiency and Integration: Avoid duplication of efforts and ensure convergence for a more integrated approach to agricultural initiatives. 
  • Emerging Agricultural Challenges: Focus on emergent challenges of agriculture like nutrition security, sustainability, climate resilience, value chain development and private sector participation. 
  • State-Specific Strategic Planning: States will have the freedom to draft strategic plans tailored to their specific agricultural needs. 
  • Streamlined Approval Process: Annual Action Plan (AAP) of States can be approved in one go rather than approving individual scheme-wise AAPs. 

What are the Key Facts Regarding NMEO-Oilseeds? 

• About NMEO-Oilseeds: It has been launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare for enhancing domestic oilseed production to reduce dependency on edible oil imports. 
  • It aligns with the broader goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and focuses on boosting both primary and secondary oilseed production in the country. 
• Duration: The mission will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31. 
• Objective: Together with NMEO-OP (Oil Palm), the mission targets to increase domestic edible oil production to 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31, meeting around 72% of India’s projected domestic requirement. 
  • It seeks to expand oilseed cultivation by an additional 40 lakh hectares by targeting rice and potato fallow lands, promoting intercropping, and promoting crop diversification. 
  • NMEO-OP (Oil Palm) aims to increase crude palm oil production by 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26. 
• Key Focus Areas:  
  • Production of Primary Oilseed Crops: It focuses on enhancing the production of key primary oilseed crops such as rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesamum.  
    • It aims to raise primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. 
  • Extraction from Secondary Sources: It aims at increasing collection and extraction efficiency from secondary sources like Cottonseed, Rice Bran, and Tree Borne Oils. 
  • Technological Interventions: Cutting-edge technologies, such as genome editing, will be leveraged to develop high-quality seeds and enhance productivity.  
• SATHI Portal for Seed Management: A 5-year rolling seed plan will be introduced via the Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) Portal.  
  • This will help states establish tie-ups with seed-producing agencies (FPOs, cooperatives, and seed corporations). 
  • 65 new seed hubs and 50 seed storage units will be set up in the public sector to improve the seed production infrastructure. 
• Value Chain Clusters: Over 600 Value Chain Clusters will be developed across 347 districts, covering more than 10 lakh hectares annually.  
  • Farmers in these clusters will have access to high-quality seeds, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training, and advisory services on weather and pest management. 
  • Value Chain Clusters are networks of interconnected businesses, suppliers, and institutions within a specific industry that collaborate to improve productivity, innovation, and competitiveness. 
• Post-Harvest Support: Support will be extended to FPOs, cooperatives, and industry players to establish or upgrade post-harvest units to enhance recovery from cottonseed, rice bran, corn oil, and Tree-Borne Oils (TBOs). 

What are Key Highlights of India’s Oilseed Production? 

• Oilseed Production: India ranks as the fourth largest oilseed producer in the world. India has 20.8% of the global area under oilseed cultivation, contributing 10% of global production. 
  • In 2022-23, production reached a record 413.55 lakh tonnes, 33.92 lakh tonnes higher than the previous year. 
  • India produces a variety of oilseeds including Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower, Sesamum, Niger Seed, Mustard, and Safflower. 
• Rainfed Farming: Nearly 72% of India's oilseed cultivation is limited to rainfed farming, predominantly carried out by small farmers, leading to low productivity. 
• Major Oilseed-Producing States: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra were the leading producers in 2021-22, contributing 23%, 21%, 18%, and 16%, respectively. 
• Oilseed Export: In 2022-23, In 2022-23, the oilseed exports amounted to USD 1.33 billion. 
  • Major export destinations include Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE and Bangladesh. 
• Oilseed Imports: India is heavily reliant on imports of oilseed which account for 57% of its domestic demand for edible oils. 

What are Previous Measures to Promote Oilseed Production? 

• National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP): NMEO-OP was launched in 2021 to increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares by 2025-26 with a special focus on North Eastern states. 
  • It aims to increase crude palm oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26. 
  • Increase consumer awareness to maintain consumption level of 19 kg/person/annum till 2025-26. 
• MSP for Oilseeds: The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mandated edible oilseeds has been increased, and schemes like Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) ensure that oilseed farmers receive fair prices. 
• Import Duty Protection: 20% import duty on edible oils has been imposed to protect domestic producers from cheap imports and encourage local cultivation. 

Conclusion 

The rationalisation of centrally sponsored schemes and the launch of the NMEO-Oilseeds aim to streamline agricultural efforts, enhance oilseed production, and reduce import dependence. By integrating modern technology, expanding cultivation, and supporting post-harvest infrastructure, these initiatives align with India's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils.

Drishti Mains Question:

How can the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) help India become self-reliant in oilseed production?

 

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims 

Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021) 

1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, 
2. Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 
3. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
4. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (d) 

Q. Consider the following statements: (2020) 

1. In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.
2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (d)

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Mains

Q. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification?