The Central Organisation for Oil Industry and Trade (COOIT) has formed a task force to study and suggest ways to create a conducive environment for the growth of the oilseeds sector.
"The task force has representatives from the oilseeds industry, solvent extractors, the corporate sector and agriculturists like MS Swaminathan. It will study the entire oilseeds industry including measures to increase production and productivity, timely supply of inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, finance, water irrigation facilities and reduction of dependence on imports," KML Chabbra, executive director of the organisation told Business Standard.
The dependence on imports has increased from 18 lakh tonne in 1986, when the 'Technology Mission on Oilseeds' was started, to 45 lakh tonne at present, he said. One of the major reasons for dependence on imports was that oilseeds production was sufficient to meet domestic demand.
