Gadkari calls for boost in soybean production to achieve India’s edible oil autonomy

K K Jha

Indore: To fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India becoming a $5 trillion economy and the world’s third-largest, self-reliance is key. Achieving this goal requires a strategic focus on increasing exports and reducing imports, stressed Union Minister for Highways and Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, while virtually inaugurating the two-day 7th International Soy Conclave in Indore .
Addressing the urgent need for self-sufficiency in the edible oil sector, Gadkari pointed out that India currently imports nearly 60% of its edible oil requirements. He emphasized that India’s path to self-reliance in edible oils hinges on boosting soybean yield to 15 quintals per hectare. In comparison, countries like the United States achieve 30 quintals per hectare, Brazil reaches 26 quintals, Argentina produces 27-28 quintals, while India remains at a modest 5-6 quintals per hectare.

Gadkari outlined a clear roadmap to bridge this gap by promoting high-yield soybean seed varieties, optimized fertilizer usage, and advanced farming techniques. He highlighted the government’s commitment through the National Mission on Oilseeds to make top-quality soybean seeds accessible to farmers, strengthening the nation’s edible oil sector. He also emphasized the importance of value addition in soybeans and soy cakes to ensure the sustainability of the soybean industry.

The 7th International Soy Conclave has brought together over 1,000 stakeholders from across the soybean value chain, including traders, farmers, processors, and industry representatives. The conclave features a series of technical sessions, covering topics such as the global outlook on soybeans, regulatory frameworks for edible oils, food safety regulations, future trading, sustainability in edible oil refining, and the introduction of the SOPA Model Contract and Arbitration Rules.