Government launches mission to boost production of oilseeds, reduce imports of cooking oils: Arjun Munda
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Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda has said that the government has launched a mission to boost production of oilseeds and reduce imports of cooking oils. He said the central government has done the work of eliminating the gaps in the development of agriculture in the northeastern states and bringing them into the mainstream.
Munda said the government is working with the resolve to make the country a developed nation by 2047, in which the role of agriculture is very important. He highlighted that a mission of Rs 11,000 crore is being run to reduce the burden of edible oil imports and become self-reliant in oilseeds. He said ‘we have to work with the thought that in the coming days, we will not import but export’.
The minister said India imports about 16 million tonnes of edible oils annually to meet domestic demand. In terms of value, India imported edible oils worth about Rs 1.38 lakh crore during 2022-23 (November-October). He also stressed the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. He emphasised linking agriculture education to livelihood and employment opportunities. He said biodiversity studies also need special attention. He hoped that in a year, this institute would be the most preferred choice for research. He emphasised that technologies have to be climate-neutral and gender-neutral.
