Context:
Union government plans to cover an area larger than the entire state of Sikkim with palm oil plantations in six north-eastern states as part of National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
About National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm:
- Launched in 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation.
- Aim – To enhance the availability of edible oil in the country by harnessing area expansion, increasing crude palm oil production with the aim to reduce the import burden.
- Special focus on North Eastern States and Andaman & Nicobar.
- Scheme Type – Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Funding pattern – 60:40 (General states) and 90:10 (NE states)
- It is being implemented in 15 states/UT’s in the country.
- Target –
- To cover an additional area of 6.5 lakh hectare (ha.) for oil palm till the year 2025-26 and reaching the target of 10 lakh hectares.
- Increasing production of seedlings by establishment of seed garden, nurseries of oil palm etc.
- Palm oil basket – RBD Palmolein, Crude Palm Oil (CPO), Crude Olein, and Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO)
Points to Remember
| Around 90% of the world’s oil palm trees are grown in Malaysia and Indonesia. Palm oil uses – Food products, detergents, cosmetics and biofuel. In India, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala accounts for 98% production. |
India – Palm Oil Trade:
- India is the world’s largest palm oil importer.
- Around 9 Million Tonne (MT) of palm oil is imported every year (56 % of the total imports of edible oil)
- Major importers – Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Ukraine and Russia
Source: Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’?
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Answer: (a)
