DC

Deeksha ChourasiyaAIR 44

Question 5GS3GS3

Why has India become increasingly import-dependent for edible oils despite being a major agricultural economy?

Open scan (p.14)

Main Body

India imports around 70% of its edible oils from nations like Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil despite being a [Net-surplus] agricultural economy. Reasons for being import-dependent: (1) Low productivity of oil seed - India's global = 3 times more productivity > makes import cheaper for industries (2) Seed availability - climate resistant seeds not available (3) Land fragmentation - avg holding avg @ 0.7-1 hectare (Agri survey 2019) (4) Farmer extension services (aiding - Lack of knowledge edge on oil seeds value)

5MSP-led monoculture policy (Wheat/Rice) (6) Environmental impact of water and land degradation. (Cas in Srilanka) (7) Post-production oil extraction process @ absolute - leads to wastage @ 30-40%: oil (8) Skewed focus on mustard soyabean only. Steps Taken: > National mission on oil seed Atom > MSP increase on oil seeds > Geo Biotech solutions like OMH-11 Mustard > India needs a robust oil seed production viz. to achieve Atmanirbharta in its agricultural growth by 2020.
158 words1 paragraphs

Conclusion

India needs a robust oil seed production to achieve Atmanirbharta in its agricultural growth by 2020.

16 words

Topper

Deeksha Chourasiya

AIR 44

Subject & Paper

GS3GS3

Topic

Agriculture and Food Security

Cropping pattern and irrigation

Edible Oils Import Dependency

Writing Stats

174

Total words

1

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone