Government targets 69.7 million tonnes of oilseeds and 350 lakh tonnes of pulses by 2030-31 as domestic production and seed distribution expand

Key Highlights

• National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) targets 69.7 million tonnes of primary oilseed production by 2030-31.
• Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses targets 350 lakh tonnes of pulse production by 2030-31.
• Oilseed production rose from 413.55 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 430.59 lakh tonnes in 2025-26.
• Pulse production increased from 242.46 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 274.09 lakh tonnes in 2025-26.
• Edible oil imports declined from 165 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 160.72 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
• Pulse imports fell from 72.56 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to 59.64 lakh tonnes in 2025-26.
• More than 600 oilseed Value Chain Clusters are operational across India.
• Free seed distribution under the oilseed mission covered 13.52 lakh hectares in 2025-26.

India is stepping up efforts to increase domestic production of oilseeds and pulses, with the government targeting higher output, stronger seed systems, improved post-harvest infrastructure and assured procurement as part of its strategy to reduce import dependence.

The government is implementing two major programmes: the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Oilseed production target raised to 69.7 million tonnes

The NMEO-OS, approved in October 2024, aims to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31.

The mission follows a cluster-based approach, with more than 600 Value Chain Clusters operationalised across the country.

These clusters are managed by Value Chain Partners including:

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs);
• cooperatives; and
• other implementing agencies.

Farmers receive access to high-quality seeds of newer high-yielding varieties and training in improved agricultural practices.

Oilseed output rises

According to the government, oilseed production increased from 413.55 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 430.59 lakh tonnes in 2025-26, based on the third advance estimate of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The mission is also expanding seed infrastructure.

During 2025-26, free seed distribution covered 13.52 lakh hectares under the Value Chain Clusters. A further 4.44 lakh hectares had been covered during Kharif 2026 at the time of the government’s assessment.

The government has sanctioned:

• 60 Seed Hubs; and
• 50 specialised seed storage units

to increase the production and storage of breeder seed of recently released varieties.

Edible oil imports show decline

The push for higher oilseed production comes as India continues to depend significantly on imports to meet domestic edible oil requirements.

Government data shows that domestic availability of edible oils increased from 124.23 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 126.30 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.

At the same time, edible oil imports declined from 165 lakh tonnes to 160.72 lakh tonnes over the same period.

The mission is also supporting post-harvest infrastructure, including the establishment and upgrading of oil mills, with the objective of improving oil recovery from primary and secondary sources.

Oilseed farmers are also supported through procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).

Pulse production targets 350 lakh tonnes

The government launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses in October 2025 to expand domestic pulse production.

The mission targets an increase from 242 lakh tonnes to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.

It supports pulse farmers through State Governments and Union Territories across areas including:

• certified seed distribution;
• climate-resilient and high-yielding varieties;
• crop-production technology demonstrations;
• farmer capacity building;
• seed kits; and
• post-harvest infrastructure.

Pulse production increases, imports decline

India’s pulse production rose from 242.46 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 274.09 lakh tonnes in 2025-26, according to the third advance estimate.

At the same time, pulse imports declined from 72.56 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to 59.64 lakh tonnes in 2025-26.

The government has linked the improvement to increased domestic production and availability.

During 2025-26, the Pulses Mission supported:

• 4.79 lakh hectares of demonstrations of new production and crop-protection technologies;
• production of 4.33 lakh quintals of quality seed;
• distribution of 3.10 lakh quintals of certified seed; and
• free distribution of 9.25 lakh seed kits.

Assured procurement to support pulse farmers

The government is also using procurement support to encourage domestic pulse production.

Under PM-AASHA, NAFED and NCCF can procure Tur, Urad and Masoor from registered and willing farmers based on requisitions from State Governments.

The objective is to provide farmers with more remunerative and predictable market opportunities while encouraging production of pulses that are important to India’s food security.

Why it matters to the food and hospitality industry

Oilseeds and pulses are fundamental inputs for India’s foodservice and hospitality industry.

Edible oils are used extensively in hotels, restaurants, catering businesses, bakeries and food processing, while pulses form a major part of Indian menus—from dals and curries to snacks and regional specialities.

Higher domestic production could gradually strengthen the resilience of these supply chains and reduce exposure to international commodity markets.

However, the impact on food businesses will depend not only on production but also on procurement prices, processing capacity, storage, logistics and market conditions.

Potential impact on restaurant and hotel costs

For restaurants and hotel kitchens, edible oil is a significant recurring input, particularly for businesses operating large-scale kitchens and extensive frying operations.

Similarly, pulses are essential ingredients across Indian and South Asian menus.

A sustained increase in domestic production could help improve supply availability over the longer term. Greater domestic sourcing could also reduce some of the risks associated with global commodity price fluctuations and import disruptions.

For foodservice operators, the key benefit would be greater supply-chain resilience rather than an immediate reduction in food costs.

Opportunity for local and regional food businesses

The expansion of oilseed and pulse production also creates opportunities for FPOs, processors and regional food brands to develop value-added products.

These could include:

• cold-pressed and regional edible oils;
• specialty pulses;
• packaged dals;
• pulse-based snacks;
• traditional food products; and
• locally sourced ingredients for hotels and restaurants.

This could strengthen the connection between farmers, processors and hospitality businesses while supporting India’s growing interest in local and traceable food sourcing.

Tourism and culinary relevance

India’s pulse and oilseed diversity is closely linked to its regional cuisines.

From mustard oil in eastern and northern cuisines to groundnut, sesame and coconut-based cooking traditions across different regions, local oils and pulses are part of India’s culinary identity.

Greater domestic production and organised value chains could therefore support culinary tourism and regional food experiences, particularly where hotels and tourism operators showcase locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Building a more resilient food economy

The government’s twin push on oilseeds and pulses represents a broader effort to strengthen domestic food production, reduce import dependence and improve farmer returns.

For the hospitality and food industry, the significance is clear: oilseeds and pulses sit directly within the industry’s core procurement basket.

If production targets are achieved alongside improvements in processing, storage and market linkages, the initiatives could contribute to a more resilient farm-to-food supply chain, while creating new opportunities for regional food businesses and culinary tourism.