The National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm is a comprehensive initiative in India designed to boost the production of oilseeds and promote oil palm cultivation. With the objective of achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils and generating economic opportunities, the mission focuses on increasing productivity, promoting sustainable farming practices, providing financial support to farmers, and facilitating research and development.
What Is the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)?
The National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) is an initiative launched by the Government of India with the primary aim of enhancing the production of oilseeds and oil palm in the country. Recognising the escalating gap between the domestic demand and supply of edible oils, the government consolidated all existing schemes of oilseeds and oil palm cultivation into this comprehensive mission during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan period in 2014.
The programme primarily focuses on maximising yield through better crop management techniques, farmer-centric interventions, and technological advancements. It is part of the broader agricultural strategy that seeks to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils, thereby reducing the country’s import dependency.
Importance of National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) Scheme
The significance of the NMOOP scheme extends beyond just agricultural considerations. As one of the most populous countries, India’s demand for edible oil is substantial. The persistent gap between demand and domestic production of oilseeds has led to a dependence on imports, posing a serious economic challenge.
Import dependency not only results in the outflow of foreign exchange but also makes India vulnerable to global price volatility and supply disruptions. Furthermore, it indirectly affects the country’s food security. By promoting self-sufficiency, the NMOOP mission aims to address these issues and strengthen the nation’s economic and food security.
Objectives of National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)
These are the key objectives of the mission;
The mission underscores the significance of oil palm and has been initiated in 12 prospective states in India, with the following stated objectives:
- Expand palm cultivation over an area of 75,000 hectares, thereby boosting the production of edible oils.
- Promote the growth of oil palms across all North-Eastern states.
- Cater to the demand for new oil palm plantations, using both local and imported sources.
- Aid farmers by supplying planting materials, funds for palm maintenance, irrigation and bore well facilities, and harvesting tools.
- Facilitate the purchase of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) from farmers via processing industries.
- Ensure fair rates for FFBs, especially during periods of international Crude Palm Oil (CPO) price dips.
- Uphold farmer interests through the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
- Furthermore, the mission also emphasises the Mini Mission-II for Oil Seeds and is aimed at fulfilling the following objectives:
- Enhance the Seed Replacement Ratio (SSR), specifically focusing on varietal replacement.
- Increase the area of irrigated oilseeds from 26% to 36%.
- Promote inter-cropping of oilseeds with cereals, pulses, and sugarcane.
- Improve the availability and quality of planting materials for Oil Palm and Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs).
Features of National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)
The NMOOP has three mini-missions, each focusing on specific areas of oilseed and oil palm cultivation:
Mini-Mission I on oilseeds aims at expanding the area under cultivation and increasing the productivity of major oilseeds crops, such as groundnut, rapeseed, mustard, sesame, sunflower, linseed, and castor.
Mini-Mission II focuses on oil palm. It aims to expand the area under oil palm cultivation in identified potential regions and improve productivity through use of high-yielding planting materials and better farm practices.
Mini-Mission III is on tree-borne oilseeds and aims to exploit the potential of oil-yielding trees like mahua, sal, neem, karanja, etc., which grow in forests, waste areas, and homesteads.
Target of NMOOP Mission
The mission aims to increase oilseeds production to 35.51 million tons and bring an additional area of 1.25 million hectares under oil palm cultivation by the end of the mission period.
Under the MM-I, the mission intends to boost oilseed production from the current average of 28.93 million tonnes to 35.51 million tonnes.
The mission’s objectives under MM-II include expanding the area suitable for oil palm cultivation and increasing FFB production from 4927 kg/ha to 15,000 kg/ha.
FAQs
What is the full form of NMOOP?
NMOOP stands for the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm.
What is the aim of NMOOP?
NMOOP aims to increase oilseeds and oil palm production to reduce the country's dependence on edible oil imports.
When was NMOOP launched?
NMOOP was launched during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan in 2014.
Who launched the National Oilseeds Development Project?
The National Oilseeds Development Project was launched by the Government of India.
Which state is first in oilseeds?
As of the last records, Madhya Pradesh is the leading state in oilseeds production in India.
When was the national seed policy launched?
The National Seed Policy was launched in 2002.
What is the National Seed Act?
The National Seed Act is a piece of legislation enacted to provide for the regulation of quality of seeds sold in India.
What is the new national seed policy?
The new national seed policy focuses on providing access to quality seeds and planting material to farmers, promoting research and development in the seed industry, and ensuring seed and food security.
What is the name of the national seed policy?
The national seed policy of India is called the 'National Seed Policy, 2002'.
Who is the chairman of the National Seed Board?
The Chairman of the National Seed Board is appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. Shri. Vinod Gaur is the current chairman.
Which is the seed bowl of India?
Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as the 'Soya Region', is popularly known as the 'Seed Bowl' of India due to its significant contribution to seed production in the country.
Is India a member of the seed treaty?
Yes, India is a member of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), often referred to as the Seed Treaty.
In which year the National oil seeds Development Project started?
The National Oil Seeds Development Project commenced in 1986.
When was the National oilseed Mission launched?
The National Oilseed Mission was launched in 1986.
What is the national mission on oilseeds?
The National Mission on Oilseeds aims to enhance oilseed production in India, focusing on technological advancements, seed distribution, and farmer training to boost the oilseed sector's productivity and economy.
Which is the first producing state of oilseed in India?
Gujarat is recognised as the first oilseed-producing state in India.
Which state is the largest producer of oilseeds in India 2023?
As of 2023, Rajasthan holds the position of the largest oilseed producer in India.
Which country is the largest producer of oilseeds?
China holds the distinction of being the largest producer of oilseeds globally.
Does the NMOOP scheme educate farmers?
Does the NMOOP scheme educate farmers? Yes, the National Mission on Oilseeds (NMOOP) scheme incorporates educational initiatives to inform and educate farmers on modern agricultural practices, ensuring sustainable growth and improved productivity in the oilseed sector.
