The Centre's National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) achieved 42% of its 650,000 hectare target by 2025-26, bringing 273,302 hectares under oil palm cultivation between 2021-22 and 2025-26. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in a Lok Sabha reply, this represents a shortfall of 376,698 hectares from the original target. The mission, launched in 2021-22, is being implemented across 15 states with a focus on increasing domestic edible oil production and reducing import dependence.
Telangana recorded the highest area brought under the mission at 98,112 hectares, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 97,871 hectares. As reported by the Ministry, Arunachal Pradesh added 20,967 hectares, while Assam recorded 14,032 hectares. Other significant contributions came from Karnataka with 7,045 hectares, Nagaland with 8,459 hectares, and Odisha with 9,977 hectares. Tripura began implementing the mission in 2023-24 and brought 6,137 hectares under cultivation.
The government identified 2.17 million hectares as potential area for oil palm cultivation across the 15 implementing states. According to the Lok Sabha reply, 640,264 hectares is currently under oil palm cultivation, representing approximately 29% of the identified potential. Andhra Pradesh has the largest area currently under cultivation at 282,511 hectares, followed by Telangana at 119,494 hectares and Karnataka at 53,999 hectares.
In response to queries about enhancing financial assistance under the Area Expansion Programme of NMEO-OP, the Centre stated 'No' to any increase in financial support. The government emphasized that the National Mission on Edible Oils comprises both NMEO-OP and the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), which was launched in 2024-25 to increase production and productivity of major oilseed crops.
