Agriculture sector has always remained a matter of great concern for Indian policy makers after getting independence.India was a net importer of almost all food items in early 70s until the start of Green Revolution helped in achieving self sufficiency in food grains.Now the government focus has been shifted to another most concerning area of the time agricultural sector,oilseeds.During 60's India was net exporter country of oilseeds but due to increased demand and stagnation in production, India became net importer of edible oils by late 70's.
Now, the oilseed sector has been an important area of concern for Indian policy makers in the post-reforms period when India became one of the largest importer of edible oils in the world, importing about half of domestic requirement in the 1990s.
Then Indian oilseeds production scenario has witnessed a dramatic turn. The country achieved a status of 'self sufficient and net exporter'during early nineties, rising from the 'net importer' state, with a mere annual production of nearly 11 million tonnes from the annual oilseed crops, uptil the year 1986-87 and in a span of just a decade, an all time record oilseeds production of 25 million tonnes from annual oilseed crops was attained during 1996-97. This transformation has been termed as "The Yellow Revolution" and the success could be primarily attributed to the institutional support, particularly the set up of the Technology Mission on Oilseeds in 1986.
Referance datasheet is given from Agricultural statistics at a glance 2018, MoAFW, GOI
Government policies for ensuring self sufficiency in oilseeds:
During 1980s, edible oils was the largest import item, constituting about 30 per cent of the total imports, next only to petroleum products despite the fact that India having he world’s second largest area under oilseeds. Government decided to achieve self sufficiency by policy and technological interventions.The initial strategy to overcome stagnant oilseed production was to promote new technologies in oilseed production and processing through Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
1. National Oilseed Development Project (NODP) launched in 1985-86
2.Technology Mission on Oilseeds in
May 1986 to increase oilseeds production in the country and achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils.
3.Oil Palm Development Programme (OPDP) launched in 1991-92 under “Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Pulses” with a focus on area expansion in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Gujarat and Goa.
4.During the Tenth Plan, Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) was implemented by converging earlier schemes like Oilseeds Production Programme (OPP), Oil Palm Development Programme (OPDP), National Pulses Development Programme (NPDP) and Accelerated Maize Development Programme (AMDP).
From April 2010, pulses component of ISOPOM has been merged with Natural Food Security Mission (NFSM) to intensify efforts for production of pulses.
The prevailing agro-ecological conditions are favourable for growing some important annual oilseeds, including edible { Groundnut, Rapeseed-Mustard, Soybean, Sunflower, Safflower, Sesame and Niger) and non-edible oilseeds {Castor and Linseed) and some minor oilseed bearing tree species.In 2019-20, the estimated production of oilseeds is 38.10 MT under an area of 38.25Mha.
Now again India is trapped in same situation as that of 90's when India was a net importer of oilseeds and imports more than half the total domestic demand of the country.These are the signs of fading Yellow revolution or we can say yellow revolution has remain always a dream for India.
References:
Oilseed and oilseed products, GAIN report 2019, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
Agricultural statistics at a glance 2018, MoAFW, GOI
Commodity profile of edible oil September 2019, India SA agri trade
World and Indian Agriculture, science publishing group
Oilseeds in India, Mangala Rai, APAARI publications
https://www.pib.gov.in
Appreciate your efforts 🙏👍🏼nice data and concept
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