India imports 56% of edible oil needs, 2-3 million tonnes of pulses in 2023-24

The Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing examined the production and availability of oilseeds and pulses to address India's heavy reliance on imports and identify measures to improve domestic agricultural output and seed quality.

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers; consumers of edible oils and pulses; farmers cultivating oilseeds and pulses; seed industry stakeholders.

• Expand oilseeds and pulse procurement under PM-AASHA from 25% to 100% of total production.
• Impose a 20% safeguard duty on palm oil imports if global prices fall below USD 800 per tonne.
• Review the Seeds Act, 1966 and bring a new Seeds Bill to ensure timely access to high-quality seeds and mandatory certification.
• Establish a National Commission/Regulatory Body to fix an upper price ceiling for seeds through a consultative process.
• Invest in bio-technology to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding, and pest-resistant seed varieties.
• Set up at least one Seed Hub in every district by 2030 to achieve 100% seed replacement rate (SRR).
• Completely subsidize breeder seed purchases by farmers.
• Expand the 'per drop more crop' scheme to all rainfed oilseeds and pulse producing areas over five years.
• Increase subsidies on drip and sprinkler systems for small and marginal farmers.
• Enforce laws against illegal imports of GM foods, upgrade port lab infrastructure, and mandate labelling of GM ingredients.
• Onboard remaining states, Union Territories, and regulatory bodies onto the SATHI portal.
• Adopt a 'One Nation, One License' model for seed registration and digital traceability.
• Train at least 5,000 extension workers per district per year until 2030.

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