The Union Agriculture Ministry of India is conducting a survey through the 'My Gov' platform to gather data on consumer preferences for edible oils.

The goal is to create a policy that encourages farmers to focus on cultivating oilseeds that align with consumer demands, boosting both agricultural incomes and the country's self-sufficiency in edible oils.

The survey, which started on January 9 and will continue until February 23, 2025, aims to gather data that will guide future agricultural policies.

After the survey concludes, the Ministry's Statistics Cell will analyze the results and prepare a detailed report, which could lead to adjustments in existing programs.

In line with this, the government launched the 'National Mission on Edible Oil (Oilseeds)' in October 2024 with an allocation of Rs 10,103 crore. This initiative aims to increase domestic oilseed production from around 390 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 697 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.

The mission includes a target to boost indigenous edible oil production to 254.5 lakh tonnes by 2030-31, which would help meet 72% of the nation's edible oil demand.

Currently, India imports 55-60% of its edible oil needs, while domestic production meets only 40-45%.

The successful implementation of this mission could significantly reduce India's dependency on oil imports, ensuring greater food security and supporting farmers.