Intra-Sector Transformation in Indian Oilseeds and Edible Oils Sector during Pre- and Post-WTO Periods

The paper has looked into the transformation of Indian oilseeds and edible oils sector during pre-WTO (1970–71 to 1994–95) and post-WTO (1995–96 to 2012–13) periods. The study has realed that between 1970–71 and 2012–13, the oilseeds acreage has expanded from 16.6 Mha to 26.7 Mha, yield has increased from 519 kg/ha to 1164 kg/ha which has led to increase in production from 8.6 Mt to 31.1 Mt. The major oilseed crops (groundnut and other oilseeds such as, safflower, sesamum, niger, castor, and linseed) of the 1970s have been displaced by soyabean and rapeseed & mustard in the recent decade. Higher instability in production than in area and yield has been observed in all the oilseeds, except sunflower. It was due to the fact that more than 70 per cent of oilseeds are cultivated under rain-fed and resource-poor situations. The production, availability and per-capita consumption of edible oils has increased with decreasing instability over time. The consumption pattern of edible oils has changed from traditionally consumed groundnut, rapeseed and mustard oils to imported palm, sunflower and soya oils. India's import dependency for edible oils has increased over the period and is likely to increase in future. The study has suggested policy reforms for development of edible oils sector in the country.