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

India is major producer as well as exporter of edible oils => soybean, palm oil, groundnut oil etc. But (Key Indian Edible Oil Agriculture) - Maize, Soybean, Palm oil, Sunflower Reasons behind becoming import-dependent: 1. Limited domestic production => substance agriculture in Madhya Pradesh (largest producer of soyabean) 2. South-East Asia global competitiveness due to cheap prices (e.g. Indonesia as major player) 3. Distorted cropping pattern due to MSPs and subsidies. Wheat (3500 kg/hectare); Paddy (2500 kg/hectare) but edible oils less than (1000 kg/hectare) 4. Requires skilled labour for plantation of palm oils in North-East 5. Small land holdings (40% of farmers with less than (2.0) hectare of land) 6. Climatic factors => Aridity; dependency; Heat strokes.

Govt initiatives & measures for self-sufficiency (on NITI Aayog & Nand Subcommittee): 1. NMEO-08 (Aroid subsidies for Committees) => Measures taken by govt for self-sufficiency 2. Tech upgradation (FAI; Agmark) 3. PM Kisan Sinchayee Yojana 4. Import Qualitative exports 5. Edible oils imports is an injustice for Indian farmers, aspiration & capabilities. Farmer being one of the 4 Goals of Visit Bharat => need self-sufficiency.