India Wants More Oilseeds, What Is Changing for Farmers?

is trying to grow more oilseeds and reduce its dependence on imported edible oils. The effort is now moving beyond simply increasing the area under oilseed crops. Researchers and policymakers are focusing on better seeds, suitable varieties, technology, processing and stronger links between farmers and markets.

A national workshop held at ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research in Hyderabad on September 3–4 brought researchers, government agencies, seed organisations, industry, FPOs and farmers together to discuss the next phase of India’s oilseed strategy.

For farmers, the important question is what this push could change on the ground.

India’s estimated oilseed production for 2025–26 has reached 43.059 million tonnes, according to the government’s third advance estimates. Groundnut production is estimated at 13.074 million tonnes, while rapeseed and mustard production is estimated at 13.768 million tonnes.

These numbers show that production is increasing, but the government still wants a much larger domestic supply of edible oils. The National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds aims to raise primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes in 2022–23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030–31. The programme uses more than 600 value-chain clusters where farmers receive support for improved seeds, farming practices and post-harvest infrastructure.

The challenge is therefore not simply producing more. Farmers also need varieties and technologies that work under their local conditions.

Better seeds are becoming a major focus

The latest ICAR-IIOR workshop placed strong emphasis on quality seed systems and improved varieties. Researchers recommended accelerating the development of short-duration, high-yielding and multi-stress-tolerant oilseed varieties. The idea is to develop crops that can perform better under different growing conditions and fit more easily into existing cropping systems.

Seed availability is just as important as developing a new variety. A farmer cannot benefit from a variety that is difficult to obtain at the right time. The workshop therefore called for state-wise seed plans and stronger seed production through seed villages, FPOs, cooperatives and other farmer groups.

For farmers, this could mean greater access to improved seed, but availability will still depend on state-level planning and local supply.

One of the newer areas of focus is expanding oilseed cultivation beyond traditional growing regions. The ICAR workshop recommended identifying districts and cropping systems where oilseeds can perform well. It also called for greater attention to rice-fallow areas, where suitable oilseed crops could potentially be grown after the rice harvest.

This could give farmers another crop option without necessarily requiring a completely new farming system. But farmers should not switch simply because a crop is being promoted nationally. Soil, rainfall, irrigation, sowing time, local markets and the performance of available varieties all need to be considered.

A crop that performs well in one district may not produce the same results elsewhere.

What about soybean, mustard and groundnut?

Different oilseed crops face different production conditions.

Soybean remains one of India’s major oilseed crops, while groundnut and rapeseed-mustard are also important sources of domestic edible oil. Government estimates for 2025–26 put soybean production at 12.596 million tonnes, groundnut at 13.074 million tonnes and rapeseed-mustard at 13.768 million tonnes.

This means there is no single technology or variety that will solve India’s oilseed challenge. The latest research agenda is instead looking at crop-specific varieties, better seed systems, suitable cropping areas and improved production practices.

For farmers, local recommendations remain important. A variety developed for one climate or soil may not be the right choice for another.

Growing more oilseeds does not automatically mean farmers will earn more. The crop also has to move efficiently from the field to buyers, processors and consumers. This is why the September ICAR workshop included processing, value addition, market development and research-industry links in its discussions.

The National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds also supports post-harvest infrastructure, including oil mills, to improve oil recovery from primary and secondary sources. For farmers, better local processing could create another opportunity. Instead of selling only raw seed, farmer groups could potentially participate in cleaning, grading, oil extraction or other value-added activities.

But processing requires investment, reliable volumes, quality control and a market for the final product.

What should farmers watch for?

Farmers interested in expanding oilseed cultivation should first check whether the crop is suitable for their area.

The next step is to find out which varieties are recommended locally and whether certified seed is available. Farmers should also compare expected costs and returns with the crop they currently grow. Agricultural departments, KVKs and ICAR institutes can help farmers identify suitable varieties and production practices.

The latest ICAR workshop also called for district-, season- and crop-specific suitability mapping to identify areas where oilseeds have stronger potential. This approach matters because increasing oilseed production does not mean putting the same crop everywhere.

India’s oilseed strategy is becoming broader. It now includes improved genetics, better seed systems, new growing areas, farmer demonstrations, processing and market development.

The September workshop’s roadmap also called for stronger cooperation among research institutions, government agencies, private companies, FPOs and farmers.

For farmers, the biggest change may come when these different parts begin working together at the district level.

More oilseed production can create opportunities, but farmers will still need to make decisions based on their own soil, water, crop rotation and local market.

The national target is about India’s edible-oil supply. At the farm level, the question is simpler: Can an oilseed crop give a farmer a reliable crop, a workable cost and a dependable market?

That is where the success of the oilseed push will ultimately be tested.