India's edible oil problem is policy uncertainty, not supply

India is a big country where millions of people buy cooking oil, also called edible oil, for their kitchens.

India does not grow enough oilseeds to make all the oil it needs, so about half of its cooking oil comes from other countries.

The Indian government wants farmers to grow more oilseeds, such as soybeans, mustard, and groundnuts, so the country can make more of its own oil.

In 2024, it started a big mission, called the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds, with lots of money to help raise oilseed production by 2030.

But farmers choose what to plant based on how much money they think they will earn.

When the government often changes taxes and import rules, farmers cannot predict prices, so growing oilseeds feels risky.

This article says the real problem is not that there is not enough oil; the problem is that changing policies confuse farmers and markets.

It suggests that clear, steady rules and better local processing could help India rely more on its own farmers.

In this way, farmers, businesses, and shoppers could all be better off.