SOPA delegation calls on Agriculture Minister

Seeks increase in import duties, implementation of National Oilseed Mission

Indore (Team Newsbuddy) : A delegation led by Dr. Davish Jain, Chairman of the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), met with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to discuss concerns regarding the influx of cheap imported edible oils. Dr. Jain expressed serious concerns about the harmful effects of these imports on the domestic edible oil industry and oilseed farmers. He presented a memorandum urging the government to reinstate import duties and agricultural cess on edible oils to the levels from three to four years ago, to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil production. Dr. Jain highlighted the significant impact of cheap imported edible oils on the domestic industry, noting that India’s edible oil imports surged from 13.068 million tons in 2021 to 15.837 million tons in 2023, which is a concerning increase.

He emphasized that low import duties and high domestic taxes have rendered domestic products uncompetitive. Cooking oil is now selling at a 40% higher price than fuel. Addressing this imbalance is crucial. Dr. Jain called for changes in the current import duty structure to provide a level playing field for domestic producers.

Dr. Jain also urged the Agriculture Minister to implement the Bhavantar scheme nationwide, ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce without the compulsion of significant physical procurement. He noted that soybeans, mustard, peanuts, and sunflower seeds are being sold below the minimum support price, forcing farmers to switch to other crops. Establishing the right balance is essential for achieving self-sufficiency in oilseed production.

The SOPA Chairman argued that increasing import duties would boost the country’s revenue and encourage domestic production. He also pressed for the immediate launch of a national mission on edible oils to promote oil seed production nationwide.

Dr. Jain suggested that the government could work with organizations such as SOPA to develop high-yielding varieties and improve oilseed production. He also requested freight subsidies for soybean meal exporters to boost exports and generate foreign exchange for the country. He appealed to the Agriculture Minister to collaborate with organizations like SOPA to create suitable policies for the oilseed sector, taking into account the interests of farmers and processors, to achieve self-sufficiency in the edible oil sector expeditiously. The SOPA Chairman said that the Agriculture Minister acknowledged the issues and concerns raised by SOPA and assured that appropriate measures would be taken. SOPA’s Executive Director, D.N. Pathak, was also present at this meeting.