National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 10, Aug 2021

• Objective: To augment the availability of edible oils and reduce the import of edible oils by increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds and oil palm.
• The scheme involves investment of over Rs 11,000 crore.

Why do we need this scheme ?

• India is the world's biggest vegetable oil importer
• Domestic oilseed production is nearly six times lower than rice and wheat

About Palm Oil

• Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp of the fruit of the oil palms.
• The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel.
• Indonesia is the largest producer of palm oil, followed by Malaysia - both countries account for 84% of the world's palm production.

Why Palm Oil is used everywhere ?

• It is semi-solid at room temperature so it can keep spreads spreadable
• it is resistant to oxidation and so can give products a longer shelf-life
• it’s stable at high temperatures and so helps to give fried products a crispy and crunchy texture
• it’s also odourless and colourless so doesn’t alter the look or smell of food products.