Archive · 13 Jun 2025
Oil Palm Mission Faces Setback in Expansion Goals
The Indian government wanted to grow a lot more oil palm trees to make more edible oil.
They set a goal to plant trees on a big area of land.
But, they're not planting as many trees as they planned.
Some states are doing better than others.
The government is giving money to farmers to help them plant the trees and make sure they still get paid fairly, even if prices change.
Oil Palm Mission is unlikely to meet its target of 6.64 lakh hectares of additional area.
Less than 2 lakh hectares have been planted against the target between 2021-22 and 2025-26.
The National Mission on Edible Oil - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was launched in August 2021.
Andhra Pradesh is the top performer among states, achieving nearly half of its target.
NMEO-OP offers financial aid, including viability gap payments and planting material subsidies.
- Who
- The Indian government and participating states
- What
- The Oil Palm Mission is facing challenges in meeting its expansion targets.
- When
- Between 2021-22 and 2025-26
- Where
- India
- Why
- To increase edible oil production and reduce reliance on imports.
Current Mission Implementation
Proposed Reforms
Challenges
Current Mission Implementation
Insufficient monitoring, mainly driven by private sector
Proposed Reforms
Needs changes in guidelines, with private sector input
- Mission
- National Mission on Edible Oil - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)
- Launched
- August 2021
- Target Area
- 6.64 lakh hectares (lh) additional area
- Planted Area (so far)
- Less than 2 lh
- Top Performing State
- Andhra Pradesh
- North-East States Target
- 1.79 lh
- Other States Target
- 4.85 lh
