Palm Oil and the Need for Alternatives

What is the palm oil situation in India?

• India is the largest importer of palm oil. Most of the imports are from Malaysia and Indonesia.
• It is the 2nd largest palm oil consumer after Indonesia.
• The government has been trying to increase the domestic production over the years. Between 2015-16 and 2020-21, palm oil production increased at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%- according to the 2021-22 Economic Survey.

How is the government boosting production?

• In the 1980s, a series of Technology Missions were launched.
• The objectives were:
  • Increase productivity- as India suffers below global average yield levels
  • Address increasing demands for edible oils
  • Reduce edible oil im